Bangladesh hound national hero Shakib Al Hasan with new corruption charges

With a slew of charges against Shakib Al Hasan, one might wonder: what a fall from grace. But a closer look at what is transpiring in Bangladesh would reveal that the former World No 1 all-rounder has been a victim of regime change. He has all but retired from international cricket, and now, he is facing charges of murder and the latest, corruption.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which once appointed Shakib Al Hasan as their brand ambassador, has now launched a probe into “irregularities and corruption”.

“We fear that there may come a point where he becomes the subject of an ACC case,” Bangladesh ACC chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen told the local media.

From ambassador to suspect

Shakib took on the ambassadorial role with the ACC in 2018, even playing a part in launching its anti-corruption hotline, 106. Yet, by 2022, amid growing accusations of wrongdoing, the ACC decided to end his tenure as their public face.

The tide turned further on August 28, 2023, when Supreme Court lawyer Milhanur Rahman Naomi formally urged the ACC to examine a litany of allegations against Shakib.

Allegations against Shakib

Stock market manipulation
Engaging in illegal gambling and casino ventures
Gold smuggling
Siphoning money from crab traders
Cricket-related corruption
Hiding assets in his election affidavit

Subsequently, on November 8, 2023, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) stepped in. They froze Shakib’s bank accounts as part of a broader financial inquiry.

The situation escalated after the collapse of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Shakib, who previously served as a Member of Parliament, was implicated alongside ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others in the murder of Rubel, a garment worker, in Adabor.

As a result, he was excluded from the national cricket team. A legal notice was also issued to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), pressing them to ensure Shakib’s return to the country to aid the ongoing investigation.

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Timeline: Shakib Al Hasan’s fall from grace

Shakib Al Hasan, widely regarded as Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer, has experienced a dramatic fall from grace since the regime change in Bangladesh in August 2024. His journey from a national hero to a figure of public disdain is intertwined with political upheaval, legal battles, and his own choices during a turbulent period in the country’s history.

August 5, 2024: Regime change in Bangladesh

Bangladesh plunges into chaos as students protest against the government. As the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina fled to India, trouble deepens for her associates. Shakib was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Awami League since January 2024. He was also implicated in the unrest.

August 7, 2024: Murder case filed against Shakib

Rafiqul Islam files a murder case in Dhaka’s Adabor police station against Shakib and 146 others.

August 22, 2024: Public backlash intensifies

Protests erupted in Bangladesh, with Shakib’s effigy burned in front of Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. It was the same venue where he was once celebrated as a hero during the 2012 Asia Cup final. Demonstrators struck his picture with shoes and chanted slogans branding him a “murderer”.

August 25, 2024: Teammates rally in support

Bangladesh secured a historic Test win against Pakistan, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto dedicated the victory to those killed in the protests. Shanto called the murder case against Shakib “unexpected” and expressed hope for a “new Bangladesh.” Veteran teammate Mushfiqur Rahim posted on Facebook, expressing pride in playing alongside Shakib and offering support.

September 24, 2024: BCB assures security for Shakib

Shahriar Nafees, head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) cricket operations, assured that Shakib would not face harassment upon returning to Bangladesh. This followed assurances from the interim government, including the chief adviser, law adviser, and sports adviser.

September 26, 2024: Shakib announces retirement plans

During the second Test against India in Kanpur, Shakib announced his retirement from Test and T20I cricket. He expressed his desire to play his final Test in Dhaka against South Africa, starting October 21. He also confirmed that the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy would be his last international outing. He had already retired from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup.

October 4, 2024: Sports adviser urges Shakib to stay away

Asif Mahmud, the Youth and Sports Adviser, advised Shakib not to return to Bangladesh for the South Africa series, citing the risk of “untoward circumstances

October 16, 2024: Shakib expected to return, then withdraws

Shakib was initially set to arrive in Dhaka on October 17 for the South Africa Test series. BCB committed to provide him with the “highest level of security.” However, on October 17, Shakib withdrew from the squad citing a “security issue”.

October 18, 2024: Shakib confirms he won’t return soon

Shakib told ESPNcricinfo that he is “almost sure” he won’t return to Bangladesh. “I am not sure where I am going next, but it is almost sure that I am not going home,” Shakib added.

November 8, 2024: Financial investigation deepens

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) freezes Shakib’s bank accounts as part of an ongoing financial investigation, following allegations of stock market manipulation, illegal gambling, casino operations, gold smuggling, and more, as reported earlier by a Supreme Court lawyer on August 28, 2023.

December 15, 2024: Cheque fraud case filed

IFIC Bank files a case against Shakib and three others for check fraud. Shakib’s company, Shakib Al Hasan Agro Farm, had taken a loan of 2.5 crore taka in 2017, issuing two checks to repay it. The checks were dishonored due to insufficient funds.

January 12, 2025: Reported for suspected bowling action

While off-field issues were hounding him, Shakib’s on-field career also took a hit after he was reported for a suspected bowling action during County Championship. He failed the test conducted by Loughborough University for the 2nd time. Eventually, he was not considered for Bangladesh’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.

January 19, 2025: Arrest warrant issued

A court issues an arrest warrant against Shakib for failing to appear in connection with the check fraud case.

February 23, 2025: Signs with Dhaka Premier League team

Shakib signs with Legends of Rupganj for the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) 2025, signaling a potential return to competitive cricket in Bangladesh. However, it remains uncertain whether he will actually play.