Shakib Al Hasan offers return to Bangladesh contingent on security guarantees
Shakib Al Hasan states he is prepared to face trial in Bangladesh if the government ensures his safety, rejecting calls to distance himself from ousted leader Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladeshi cricket star and former Awami League politician Shakib Al Hasan has declared his willingness to return from exile to face criminal charges, including murder and corruption, provided the current government guarantees his safety. The 39-year-old former international captain, who has lived in the United States since the political uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, stated he is ready to submit to legal proceedings if his security is assured.
Speaking from Sri Lanka, where he is currently playing franchise cricket, Hasan provided his most detailed account of his two years abroad. He confirmed that he has written to the interior, law, and sports ministries under the previous interim government seeking to drop what he describes as fabricated charges, but has received no response. Hasan also noted that his bank accounts have been frozen for approximately 18 months pending investigation, a move he criticised given his history as one of the country’s highest-taxed players.
The former captain rejected suggestions from previous officials that he should distance himself from Hasina or the Awami League to facilitate his return. Hasan stated he would follow the instructions of the party leader, who has been sentenced to death in absentia and plans to return to Bangladesh in December. Hasan expressed hope for a farewell series in his home country and participation in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, though he acknowledged that age is a factor in his retirement timeline.
Hasan disclosed specific incidents that have hindered his return, including a late 2024 attempt where he boarded a flight home based on security assurances but was ordered to turn back mid-journey after landing in Dubai. A subsequent attempt to return collapsed after authorities cited a social media birthday message posted for Hasina as the reason for barring his re-entry. He also confirmed that his unoccupied house in Bangladesh was attacked following a virtual news conference he held in Delhi alongside Hasina.
The situation highlights the broader political fallout from the 2024 uprising, which has left dozens of Hasina’s allies facing criminal charges. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government now faces the question of whether to accommodate figures from the former ruling party. Hasan said he is keen to discuss his return with Rahman, while noting that his parents remain in Bangladesh but are currently unable to leave the country.
