Shakib Al Hasan Ready to Return to Bangladesh if Government Guarantees Safety

Aug. 7 — Bangladesh cricket great Shakib Al Hasan said he is prepared to return home after two years in exile, face the legal cases against him and play a farewell international series if the government guarantees his safety.

The 39-year-old all-rounder, a former captain and ex-lawmaker for ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, has been living in the United States since Hasina's government was overthrown during a student-led uprising in August 2024.

Speaking to Reuters by phone from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket, Shakib said he remains committed to representing Bangladesh and hopes to play a farewell series on home soil before targeting a place in the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

"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.

Shakib is among several allies of the former Awami League government facing criminal charges following the political upheaval that ended Hasina's rule. His possible return is expected to test the new government's willingness to allow former ruling party figures to return and participate in public life.

The all-rounder remains one of Bangladesh's most successful cricketers despite the legal and political uncertainty surrounding his future. His return would not only mark a significant moment in his cricket career but could also become a notable development in the country's evolving political landscape.