Watch: Shakib Al Hasan faces backlash over silence on Bangladesh’s political crisis during Global T20 Canada 2024
Published - 07 Aug 2024, 07:35 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 07:31 AM
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Former Bangladesh Cricket Team captain and current Member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan has found himself in controversy following his silence on the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh. The ace all-rounder is currently in Canada, plying his trade in the ongoing Global T20 Canada 2024.
Shakib has been facing the wrath of the fans for being silent on the unrest that has gripped Bangladesh for the past few days. Shakib was met with chants and protests from passionate Bangladeshi fans during a recent Global T20 Canada 2024 match.
Shakib Al Hasan under fire for ignoring Bangladesh political unrest during Global T20 Canada 2024
The Bangladeshi fans were not happy with the ace all-rounder’s silence on the ongoing political turmoil in the country. Despite the growing uproar and direct questions about the deadly political situation back home, Shakib chose to walk away without addressing the concerns.
The former Bangladesh captain’s behavior fuelled the fire, as he is also a Member of Parliament and even under the Awami League headed by the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to Delhi, India, after the protesters destroyed her office and home in Dhaka.
As an elected member of the National Assembly under the Awami League, Shakib's silence has been alleged as a betrayal by his fans. The situation reached a boiling point when a fan asked him about the ongoing political crisis. To which Shakib replied, "What did you do for the country?"
His remarks further angered the fans. However, Mohammed Jalal Yunus, Chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) Cricket Operations Committee, has expressed his displeasure over the incident, stating that while he had not seen the video, Shakib’s behavior was not fitting.
Watch here viral video of Shakib:
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However, Yunus emphasized that questioning Shakib's contributions to the country was unwise, but the incident has undeniably cast a shadow over his reputation. As the political situation in Bangladesh remains tense, Shakib’s stance continues to spark debate and anger among cricket fans.
According to Cricket Pakistan, Mohammed Jalal Yunus stated, “I haven’t seen the video, so it wouldn’t be right for me to comment. However, what he did was certainly not correct. Everyone has contributions in different areas, and questioning Shakib’s contributions wasn’t appropriate.”
Bangladeshi cricketers and minority people attacked by miscreants
Notably, the political turmoil in Bangladesh has extended its reach to other cricketers as well. Protestors targeted the home of former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who is also a Member of Parliament for Khulna Division under the Awami League.
Mortaza, who was re-elected in the recent general elections, found his residence destroyed and set on fire shortly after Sheikh Hasina left the country. The attack on Mortaza's home highlighted the escalating tensions and unrest affecting various leaders amid the ongoing political crisis.
The country has been rocked by violence, as twenty bodies of Awami League leaders have been found across the nation. This tragic news broke out after student protests demanding job quotas for the children of freedom fighters, which has further fueled the ongoing unrest.
It is being said that at least 97 places, including houses and shops of minority people, were attacked, vandalized, and looted, and even at least 10 Hindu temples were attacked by "miscreants.".
