Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan , considered one of the world’s greatest all-rounders, is once again in the headlines. This time, the reason isn’t cricket, but politics. On Wednesday evening, unidentified individuals allegedly attacked his ancestral home in Magura, Bangladesh, pelting it with bricks and stones, vandalizing windows, and even attempting to throw petrol bombs.
The incident occurred shortly after Shakib attended an event addressed virtually by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from New Delhi, India. The attack has once again raised questions about who Shakib Al Hasan is and how he transitioned from cricket’s biggest star to the center of political controversy.
The biggest name in Bangladesh cricket
Born on March 24, 1987, in the Magura district of Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan is considered the most successful player in the country’s cricket history. A left-handed batsman and left-arm spin bowler, Shakib shouldered the responsibility of Bangladesh’s victories for years. He also captained the team in all three formats, leading them to several historic victories.
Shakib has scored thousands of runs and taken hundreds of wickets in ODI, Test, and T20 cricket. He is one of the few players in the world to hold the ICC rankings for number one all-rounders in both batting and bowling for extended periods.
Played in leagues from IPL to around the world
Shakib wasn’t limited to Bangladesh. He represented teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He also made his mark in several franchise leagues around the world, including the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Lanka Premier League (LPL), and Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Journey from cricket to politics
In 2024, Shakib Al Hasan entered politics alongside cricket. He contested the Magura-1 constituency on a ticket from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party and became a Member of Parliament. However, following major political upheaval in Bangladesh that year, Sheikh Hasina’s government was ousted from power and the Awami League was banned from political activities.
After the change of government, Shakib’s political role also became controversial. Several legal cases were filed against him, including one involving murder. However, he denied these allegations and stated that he wanted to return to Bangladesh, but only if his safety was guaranteed.
Shakib has left the country and is living abroad
Shakib has not returned to Bangladesh since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. He lives in the United States with his family and continues to play in T20 leagues around the world. He has stated several times that returning to the country is currently impossible due to security concerns. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not completely closed the door to his return to the national team.
Why is home invasion in the news?
On Wednesday night, unidentified individuals allegedly attacked Shakib’s home at Keshab More in Magura town. The attackers threw bricks and stones, broke window panes, and even attempted to set the house on fire with petrol bombs. According to police, no one was injured in the incident, but the house was damaged.
The attack occurred while Shakib was attending a virtual press conference from New Delhi, addressed by Sheikh Hasina. Hasina defended her government and demanded the lifting of the ban on the Awami League. Although Awami League leaders have linked the attack to Shakib’s political involvement, Bangladesh police have not yet officially confirmed the motive behind the attack, and the attackers have not been identified.
More than a cricketer, he is a controversial political figure.
Once known solely for his cricketing prowess, Shakib Al Hasan is now one of the most prominent figures in Bangladeshi politics. This record-breaking star player’s political journey has consistently placed him at the center of controversy. The attack on his home has once again demonstrated that in Bangladesh’s current political climate, Shakib Al Hasan is not just a cricketer, but also a prominent political figure.