Shakib Al Hasan, Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is ready to return home after two years in exile, face trial in the cases against him, including a murder charge, and play a farewell series if the government guarantees his safety, news agency Reuters reported.Shakib, a former lawmaker from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, has been living in the United States since Hasina’s government was removed in a student-led uprising in August 2024.The 39-year-old has not retired from international cricket and said he still hopes to play one final series for Bangladesh at home before representing the country at the 2027 ODI World Cup.Shakib’s situation reflects the wider impact of Hasina’s removal from power, with several of her political allies facing criminal cases and remaining outside Bangladesh. His return could also indicate whether the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is willing to allow members of the former ruling party to return. Hasina herself has announced plans to return to Bangladesh in December despite being sentenced to death there.“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 told Reuters.“I know I haven’t done anything,” he said, while giving his most detailed account of the past two years abroad.Hasina, who has been living in India, was sentenced to death in absentia over the crackdown on the Bangladesh protests, which the United Nations said killed about 1,400 people. She has told Reuters that she and other Awami League leaders plan to return to Bangladesh voluntarily in December.Shakib said he wanted to return immediately, but if that was not possible, he would try to return with Hasina.“Whatever the captain says, we follow her,” he said. “I think they will decide it better, and we will follow the instructions given to us.”

Shakib also defended his virtual appearance at the press conference in Delhi alongside Hasina on Wednesday. After the event, his unoccupied house in Bangladesh was attacked.He said he had only appealed for peace and the progress of Bangladesh and had no regrets about attending the event.Shakib also said that, through his lawyer, he had written to Bangladesh’s interior, law and sports ministries under the previous interim government, as well as the police, asking for what he described as fabricated cases against him to be dropped, but did not receive any response.He added that he is willing to speak to Prime Minister Rahman about returning to Bangladesh.