Bangladesh officials have declared that prominent cricketer Shakib Al Hasan will not be permitted to resume his playing career following his participation in a media event featuring ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The incident occurred when Shakib joined a telephone call during an address by Hasina in New Delhi, drawing sharp criticism from the government.
Bangladesh’s Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque responded to the situation by stating the government would no longer maintain its previous flexible stance toward the athlete. Haque emphasized that anyone who associates with the former leader, who was forced from office following a violent crackdown on student protests, cannot expect to continue their sporting career in the country.
Shakib, considered Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer with over 400 international appearances, currently faces murder investigations related to the police response to those protests. The 39-year-old has since expressed willingness to return from Sri Lanka to stand trial, provided his safety is guaranteed. He has also indicated his desire to compete in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, though government positions suggest such a return appears increasingly unlikely.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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