Table of Contents
Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan expressed his wish to return to Bangladesh to face the legal trials due. The star cricketer of Bangladesh, who has been living with his family in the United States, is required to go through a legal trial if he wants to arrive in Bangladesh.
Currently, the spin-bowling all-rounder is in Sri Lanka for the ongoing Lanka Premier League 2026 (LPL 2026) with the Jaffna Kings. He told the news agency Reuters on Friday that he is ready to face the cases in the court in Bangladesh if the current government assures his safety.
Why is Shakib Al Hasan living outside Bangladesh?
Shakib Al Hasan is a former MP of the Awami League, who fled from his own motherland under political turmoil. Against 147 persons, including Shakib, cases were filed in connection with an alleged murder during the protests in Bangladesh in 2024. As the cricketer was not in the country, he is yet to face the charges whenever he returns to Bangladesh.
“If I get the clearance from the government that my security will be ensured, I am happy to go back, face the court trial and everything that's needed to be done. I know I haven't done anything. It's a laughable case,” Shakib Al Hasan said to the media.
A virtual press conference of Sheikh Hasina intensifies political atmosphere in Bangladesh again
For political reasons, the cricketer is in the headlines again because of his recent appearance in a virtual press conference with the former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who currently lives in India. Shakib’s appearance in the press conference alongside Hasina sparked fresh outrage among the people of Bangladesh. The political personnel who are at the helm of the government have also noted Shakib Al Hasan’s recent political standpoint.
He mentioned that he will return to Bangladesh if the government provides him enough security. But will the government do so? After the virtual press conference of Sheikh Hasina, the situation has shifted drastically. The government, which previously stated that they would help the cricketer with the legal charges, has now expressed different views after the press conference.
“We were looking at things in a very flexible, very tolerant way. After that (press conference), it doesn't seem like there's any room for that kind of thinking anymore,” Bangladesh's sports minister Aminul Haque responded on Friday.
“He has gotten to the stage with the dictator (Hasina), who is unlikely to return to the country. We were being tolerant about Shakib being a cricketer. Now that chance is gone. If he has to come, it has to be through the legal route,” he added.
Shakib Al Hasan remains in support of Sheikh Hasina
However, Shakib himself spotted no harm in his action as he only followed the party supremo’s instructions. He appeared in the press conference as the leader asked him to do so.
“Whatever the captain says, we follow her. I think they will decide it better, and we will follow the instructions given to us,” the cricketer further said to the media.
