Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan Ready to Return Home for Trial if Guaranteed Safety

Bangladesh cricket star Shakib Al Hasan, a former lawmaker from ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, said he is willing to return home after two years of self-imposed exile in the United States to stand trial and play a farewell match if the government guarantees his safety.

Shakib, 39, has not announced retirement from international cricket. He hopes to play a farewell match on home soil and feature in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, a one-day international tournament.

Speaking to Reuters by phone from Sri Lanka, where he is playing for a club, Shakib said: “If I get permission from the government that my security will be ensured, I am ready to come back, face the court and everything that needs to be done.” He stressed: “I know I did nothing wrong.”

Shakib faces two cases: one linked to allegations of killing a protester during the 2024 uprising, and another filed by the anti-corruption agency. He dismissed the murder case as “laughable” and said he has not appointed a defense lawyer. His bank accounts have been frozen for a year and a half amid the investigation, but he declined to name the bank or the amount held.

Shakib also recounted a flight home in late 2024 after the interim government promised safe passage. However, mid-flight he was told to turn back, forcing a landing in Dubai and return to New York. “I don't know what changed in 12 hours,” he said. A later return plan collapsed after he posted a birthday greeting to Hasina on social media; he said authorities used it as a reason to block him. He rejected the suggestion that distancing himself from Hasina and the Awami League could ease his return.

Shakib defended his participation in a Wednesday online press conference with Hasina in New Delhi, after which his abandoned house in Bangladesh was attacked. He said he only called for peace and Bangladesh's development, with no regrets. He also said he had submitted requests through his lawyer to the ministries of home, justice, and sports, as well as the police, urging the withdrawal of what he called fabricated charges, but has received no response. He expressed a desire to discuss his return directly with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Shakib said he wants to return immediately, and if that is not possible, he would go back with Hasina, who lives in India and has been sentenced to death in absentia over the crackdown that killed about 1,400 people, according to UN figures. “Whatever the leader says, we follow,” he said, adding that he only advocates peace.

On his cricket future, Shakib said he will not wait too long to retire. “I am playing in most franchise leagues, feeling good, still enjoying the game and performing well. But age is not on my side, so I cannot wait too long.” He also said he has not seen his parents—who remain in Bangladesh but are barred from leaving—in two years. “Everything is difficult for all of us, but we are surviving.”