Shakib Al Hasan says he will return to Bangladesh if guaranteed security, aims for 2027 World Cup
Shakib Al Hasan said on August 7, 2026 that he is prepared to return to Bangladesh from a two-year exile, face trial on criminal charges and seek to play for his country at the 2027 ODI World Cup, telling Reuters by phone from Sri Lanka where he is playing franchise cricket.
Shakib, 39, has been living in the United States since the government of Sheikh Hasina was toppled during a student-led uprising in August 2024 and has not formally retired from international cricket; he said he still hopes to stage a farewell series at home. A former lawmaker for Hasina's Awami League and an ally of the ousted prime minister, Shakib said his return depends on security assurances from the government. He said he would be willing to face the legal process in Bangladesh if his safety were guaranteed.
On the condition of state protection, Shakib told Reuters: "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 needs to be done." He added, "I know I haven't done anything," describing those comments as his most detailed account of two years abroad.
The wider political context in his remarks includes Hasina's announced plan to return to Bangladesh in December and the aftermath of the 2024 unrest; Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia over the crackdown that the United Nations says killed about 1,400 people. The ouster of Hasina's government has left many of her allies facing criminal charges and unable to return to Bangladesh, according to Shakib's account.
Shakib described an attempted return in late 2024 that was aborted mid-journey: on one occasion he said he boarded a flight home after assurances from the interim government, called officials from the airport lounge to confirm he was travelling, then was told mid-journey to turn back and subsequently flew to Dubai before returning to New York. "I don't know what changed in 12 hours," he said. A later plan, he said, collapsed after he posted a birthday message for Hasina on social media and authorities cited that message as the reason for barring his re-entry; "I don't understand how that is the criteria for not letting me into Bangladesh," he said.
Shakib said two cases remain active against him: one alleging the killing of a protester during the uprising and an anti-corruption case, and he described the murder allegation as "a laughable case." He said the murder case was filed on a day in August 2024 when he was playing a match in Toronto, that he has not yet appointed a defence lawyer, and that his bank accounts have been frozen for a year and a half pending investigation. He said: "When someone is the highest-taxed player for the last 10 years and paid all the taxes and everything and his account has been frozen for a year and a half for investigation," and added, "I will give you all the information you need, but if you don't find anything, just release it."
On his playing future, Shakib said: "I am playing most of the franchise leagues. I am feeling good, still enjoying the game, playing well also," while also warning that "But ... age is not on my side at this moment, so I cannot wait for too long." He said he was keen to speak with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman about returning; spokespeople for Rahman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Shakib said he wants to go home immediately but, if that is not possible, would try to return alongside Hasina; "Whatever the captain says, we follow her," he said, adding, "I think they will decide it better, and we will follow the instructions given to us." His stated plans and conditions for return will intersect with Hasina's intended December arrival and pose a test for whether Prime Minister Rahman's government will accommodate figures from the former ruling party.
