Shakib Al Hasan’s hopes of returning to Bangladesh and resuming his international career have suffered a major setback after the government effectively closed the door on a comeback following his participation in a New Delhi media event with ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The intervention comes shortly after the 39-year-old former Bangladesh Captain outlined his willingness to return home, face the judicial process and pursue a farewell series if his safety was guaranteed.
Shakib, a former Awami League lawmaker, joined the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia event in New Delhi by telephone while Hasina addressed journalists. His participation prompted a harder government position toward a player whose potential return to Bangladesh had remained unresolved since the political upheaval of 2024.
Government hardens position on Shakib return
Bangladesh Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque addressed Shakib’s position in a statement following the New Delhi event.
Haque said, “We had been looking at the matter with considerable flexibility and tolerance. After this, I do not think there is any room to think that way anymore.”
The government had previously left open the possibility of Shakib playing again, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board indicating in January that he could make a return. His appearance alongside Hasina has now created a fresh obstacle to those plans.
Haque added, “Someone who has taken the stage with the autocrat no longer has any opportunity to return.”
The event took place two years after Hasina was removed from power following a deadly crackdown on student-led protests. She remains in India after being convicted in absentia of crimes against humanity in November 2025 and sentenced to death.
Hasina used the New Delhi appearance to reiterate her intention to return to Bangladesh. At the event, she said, “I will return to my people”.
Following the event, Shakib’s unoccupied ancestral home in Magura was attacked by protesters. Windows were damaged and petrol bombs caused a fire on the upper floor, although no injuries were recorded.
Shakib willing to return and face court
The government’s latest position contrasts sharply with Shakib’s own plans for a return. In an exclusive phone interview with Reuters from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket, Shakib said he was prepared to go back to Bangladesh and address the cases against him if his security could be assured.
Shakib told Reuters, “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.”
The former Captain has been living in the United States since Hasina’s government was toppled in August 2024. He has not formally ended his international career and continues to harbour ambitions of playing a farewell series in Bangladesh and representing the country at the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Shakib maintains his innocence over the allegations he faces. He said, “I know I haven’t done anything.”
He said he had previously contacted Bangladesh’s interior, law and sports ministries, as well as the police, through a lawyer in an effort to have what he considers fabricated charges withdrawn, but received no response.
Legal cases complicate path home
Shakib said two cases against him remain active, including one connected to the alleged killing of a protester during the 2024 uprising and another involving anti-corruption authorities.
He has challenged the basis of the murder case, saying the alleged incident occurred while he was playing a match in Toronto. Shakib said, “It’s a laughable case.”
His bank accounts have also been frozen for around a year and a half while an investigation continues. Shakib did not disclose the banks involved or the amount of money affected.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration has maintained that Shakib must be treated under the same legal framework as any other accused person. Rahman’s spokesperson described Shakib as a “member of that fallen, defeated, and fugitive fascist government”.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Press Secretary A.A.M. Saleh told Reuters in a statement, “There is absolutely nothing the current government can do to regain support for Shakib Al Hasan in the heart of people of Bangladesh.”
Saleh added, “The domestic laws of Bangladesh apply equally to everyone, regardless of identity or status. 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.”
Previous attempts to return fell through
Shakib has already made more than one attempt to return to Bangladesh since leaving the country.
In late 2024, he boarded a flight after receiving assurances from the interim government that security would be provided. During the journey, however, he was instructed not to continue home. He landed in Dubai before returning to New York, where he lives on Long Island with his wife and three children.
Recalling how quickly the circumstances changed, Shakib said, “I don’t know what changed in 12 hours.”
Another proposed return later collapsed after Shakib posted a birthday message for Hasina on social media. He said authorities subsequently cited that post when preventing him from re-entering Bangladesh.
Shakib said, “I don’t understand how that is the criteria for not letting me into Bangladesh.”
He has also rejected suggestions that separating himself politically from Hasina and the Awami League could make a return easier. Shakib said, “There is no way I will consider that.”
Hasina ties remain central to return dispute
Shakib has continued to maintain his association with Hasina despite the political consequences surrounding his return. Discussing the possibility of going back to Bangladesh alongside the former Prime Minister if an earlier return proved impossible, Shakib said, “Whatever the captain says, we follow her.”
He added, “I think they will decide it better, and we will follow the instructions given to us.”
His involvement in the New Delhi event has now brought that political relationship directly into the debate over whether he can return to Bangladesh cricket.
The former Captain also defended his participation in the event, maintaining that his intervention had focused on peace and Bangladesh’s progress and that he did not regret taking part.
Cricket career faces narrowing window
Away from the political and legal issues, Shakib continues to play franchise cricket and believes he remains capable of competing at a high level. He has represented Bangladesh in more than 400 international matches and appeared at five World Cups.
Shakib said, “I am feeling good, still enjoying the game, playing well also.”
His remaining international ambitions, however, are increasingly constrained by time. He had announced retirement plans in September 2024 following Bangladesh’s second Test in India but subsequently expressed a desire to play a complete farewell series before ending his career.
Shakib added, “But … age is not on my side at this moment, so I cannot wait for too long.”
His extended absence has also kept him separated from his parents in Bangladesh for two years. Shakib said, “It’s been difficult for all of us, but we are surviving.”
With the government now taking a significantly harder position following his appearance alongside Hasina, Shakib’s stated ambition of returning home for a farewell series faces a new barrier even as he continues to seek security assurances and a route through the legal proceedings against him.
