Now Reading: Shakib Al Hasan vows to return, eyes 2027 World Cup
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Shakib Al Hasan vows to return, eyes 2027 World Cup
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has said he is ready to return to his country immediately if the interim government guarantees his safety. Speaking to Reuters from Sri Lanka, where he is…
The Story in Brief
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has said he is ready to return to his country immediately if the interim government guarantees his safety. Speaking to Reuters from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket, the 39-year-old former lawmaker of the ousted Awami League said he would face the court trials and cooperate with all legal processes. He also confirmed he still aims to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup for Bangladesh and wants a farewell series on home soil.
Shakib revealed that in late 2024 he boarded a flight to Dhaka after receiving security assurances, but was asked to turn back mid-air, landing in Dubai instead. A later plan also fell through after he posted birthday wishes for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on social media. Two cases remain active against him: one for alleged murder of a student protester and another for corruption. He dismissed the murder case as 'hilarious,' noting it was filed on a day he was playing a match in Toronto. His bank accounts have been frozen for about 18 months.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative around Shakib Al Hasan has become a proxy for Bangladesh's bitter political divide. One side paints him as an innocent cricketer hounded for past political ties; the other demands he be held legally accountable like any citizen. Both sides exaggerate. Facts remain: he faces two active cases, one for alleged murder during protests and another for corruption, which he calls 'absurd.' He still plays franchise cricket and wants a farewell series on home soil. The real test will come if and when the government formally guarantees his safety and he actually boards that plane.
Source: aajtak.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
