3 weeks ago
Shakib Ready to Return Home, Face Trial if Security Guaranteed
Shakib Al Hasan is a very famous cricket player from Bangladesh.
He used to be a member of parliament for a party led by Sheikh Hasina, who was the country's leader.
In August 2024, big student protests pushed Hasina's government out of power.
Since then, Shakib has been living in the United States.
The government has charged him with serious crimes, and his bank accounts have been frozen for about a year and a half.
Shakib says he has not done anything wrong and that the charges are not fair.
He now says he will come back to Bangladesh and face the court if the government promises to keep him safe.
He also wants to play one last cricket series at home and at the 2027 World Cup.
After he appeared on a video call with Hasina, his empty house in Bangladesh was attacked.
He misses his parents, who are still in Bangladesh and have not been allowed to leave.
Shakib Al Hasan, 39, said he is ready to end his two-year exile and face trial, including murder charges, if the Bangladesh government guarantees his security.
A former lawmaker for Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, he has lived in the United States since the August 2024 student-led uprising toppled her government.
Two cases are active against him — the alleged killing of a protester during the uprising and a corruption case — and his bank accounts have been frozen for about 18 months.
He hopes to play a farewell home series and represent Bangladesh at the 2027 one-day World Cup, but says his age means he cannot wait too long to retire.
His unoccupied house in Magura, Bangladesh, was attacked with bricks, stones and a petrol bomb hours after he appeared virtually at a Delhi press conference alongside Hasina.
- Who
- Shakib Al Hasan, 39, Bangladesh cricket great and former Awami League lawmaker, speaking to Reuters by phone from Sri Lanka, where he is playing in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
- What
- Said he is ready to end his two-year exile, return to Bangladesh and face trial, including a murder charge, if the government guarantees his security, while hoping to play a farewell home series and at the 2027 one-day World Cup.
- Where
- He spoke from Sri Lanka; he lives in the United States (Long Island, New York), and his unoccupied house in Magura, Bangladesh, was attacked after a press conference in New Delhi.
- When
- August 7, 2026, roughly two years after the August 2024 student-led uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina's government.
- Why
- He says he has done nothing wrong and wants to face the charges rather than remain in exile, and he hopes to play cricket at home again before retiring.
Shakib Al Hasan's Position
Bangladesh Government's Position
Return and security guarantee
Shakib Al Hasan's Position
Shakib says he is happy to return and face the court trial if the government guarantees his security, insisting he has done nothing wrong.
Bangladesh Government's Position
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's press secretary, A.A.M. Saleh, said Shakib must surrender before Bangladesh's courts to face the judicial process and called him a member of a 'fallen, defeated, and fugitive fascist government.'
Validity of criminal charges
Shakib Al Hasan's Position
Shakib calls the murder case 'laughable,' saying it was filed on a day in August 2024 when he was playing a match in Toronto, and says the charges are fabricated.
Bangladesh Government's Position
Authorities are pursuing two active cases — the alleged killing of a protester during the uprising and an anti-corruption case — and his bank accounts remain frozen pending investigation.
Ties to Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League
Shakib Al Hasan's Position
Shakib refuses to distance himself from Hasina and the Awami League, saying 'There is no way I will consider that,' and says he will follow the party's decisions, including potentially returning alongside Hasina.
Bangladesh Government's Position
Bangladesh Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque closed the door on his return to the international team after the Delhi press conference, former official Asif Mahmud urged Shakib to clarify his political stance, and Saleh said nothing can regain public support for Shakib in Bangladesh.
Key facts
- Age
- 39
- Current residence
- United States (Long Island, New York)
- Exile began
- August 2024, after the student-led uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina's government
- Active legal cases
- Alleged killing of a protester during the uprising; alleged corruption
- Bank accounts
- Frozen for about 18 months pending investigation
- Hasina's status
- Living in India; sentenced to death in absentia over a crackdown that killed about 1,400 people, according to the United Nations; plans to return to Bangladesh in December
- House attack
- Unoccupied Magura home hit with bricks, stones and a petrol bomb after the Delhi press conference
- Failed return attempts
- Told mid-journey to turn back in late 2024 (articles differ on preparation time: 57 days vs. five to seven days); a later plan collapsed after a birthday post for Hasina
Quotes
Shakib Al Hasan
Bangladeshi cricketer and former national team captain
“"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."”
wionews.com
easterneye.biz
firstpost.com
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
+1 more
“I am playing most of the franchise leagues. I am feeling good, still enjoying the game, playing well also. But ... age is not on my side at this moment, so I cannot wait for too long.”
firstpost.com
A.A.M. Saleh, spokesperson for President Tarique Rahman
Press secretary for Bangladesh’s interim president
“The domestic laws of Bangladesh apply equally to everyone. In the eyes of the law, Shakib Al Hasan is an accused person, and he must surrender before the courts of Bangladesh to face the judicial process.”
easterneye.biz
“The domestic laws of Bangladesh apply equally to everyone, regardless of identity or status.”
theprint.in
Sources
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
Shakib Al Hasan Willing To Face Murder Charges In Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan Ready to Return if Safety Is Guaranteed
Shakib Al Hasan open to return home and facing trial on condition of security guarantees
Bangladeshi Cricket Star Shakib Says He is Ready To Return Home and Face Trial if Given Security
Bangladeshi cricket star Shakib, a Hasina ally, says he is ready to return home and face trial if given security
Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, a Hasina ally, seeks safe return to Bangladesh, offers to face trial if govt ensures security
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