Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has said he is willing to return to Bangladesh and face the court cases against him if the government provides clearance and guarantees his security.
Shakib, who has not returned to Bangladesh since May 2024, is currently in Sri Lanka playing for Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League. He was among 147 people named in connection with an alleged murder during the political unrest and protests that rocked Bangladesh last year.
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Speaking to Reuters on Friday, Shakib said he was prepared to cooperate with the legal process if he received assurances regarding his safety.
“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,” Shakib said.
The former all-rounder maintained that he had done nothing wrong and described the case against him as “laughable”.
Shakib’s political association has complicated his situation in Bangladesh. He joined the Awami League, the party led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and was elected as a member of parliament in the country’s 2024 elections. He subsequently left Bangladesh in May and continued playing franchise cricket overseas.
His recent appearance at a press conference alongside Hasina has also generated anger in Bangladesh. Hasina, who now lives in India, has faced severe criticism over the government’s handling of the 2024 protests. The United Nations estimated that around 1,400 people were killed during the crackdown. Hasina was later sentenced to death in absentia.
Following the press conference, Shakib’s house in Magura was attacked, while Bangladesh’s sports minister Aminul Haque indicated that the government’s earlier approach towards the cricketer had changed.
Haque had previously said that he wanted to help fast-track the cases involving Shakib and former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza. However, he has now taken a harder position.
According to Haque, the government had initially approached Shakib’s situation with flexibility and tolerance because of his status as a prominent cricketer. He said that stance had changed following Shakib’s appearance alongside Hasina.
Haque said that if Shakib wants to return to Bangladesh now, he will have to do so through the legal process.
Shakib defended his appearance with Hasina, saying he was simply following instructions from the political leadership at the time.
“Whatever the captain says, we follow her,” he said, adding that he believed decisions would be made by the leadership and that he would follow the instructions given to him.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his legal situation, Shakib remains focused on cricket and has indicated that he wants to continue playing for as long as possible.
The 39-year-old had previously expressed a desire to play one final farewell series in Bangladesh before retiring from international cricket. He reiterated that ambition while speaking to Reuters.
“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,” Shakib said.
For now, his return to Bangladesh remains dependent on government assurances over his security and the ongoing legal proceedings.
