Bangladesh’s national cricket team has rallied around their teammate, Shakib Al Hasan, who faces a murder charge related to unrest that led to the downfall of the previous government earlier this month. Team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto emphasized that the team’s first Test victory against Pakistan on Sunday, where Shakib took three wickets in the second innings, was a tribute to those who lost their lives during the recent protests that resulted in Sheikh Hasina’s ousting.
After weeks of student-led protests, Hasina fled to India by helicopter on August 5, marking an end to her 15 years in power. The 37-year-old Shakib, who lost his position as a legislator for Hasina’s Awami League party, was described as “a great asset for our country” by Shanto in a Facebook post on Monday evening. “For 17 long years, he has helped elevate Bangladesh’s name in the world,” Shanto stated.
Rafiqul Islam, father of one of the many people killed during the unrest, filed a murder charge against Shakib and 155 others in Dhaka on August 22. Hasina’s government has been accused of widespread abuses, including mass arrests and extrajudicial killings of political opponents. Hasina, her former ministers, and other ex-lawmakers are also among those charged.
While Shakib has not publicly commented on the situation, his teammates have expressed their support for him. “Such an unusual case against Shakib bhai [brother] is completely unexpected,” Shanto added. “In the new Bangladesh, we all want to see something new. I hope that all darkness will pass, and new light will come.”
Experienced batsman Mushfiqur Rahim also voiced his support on Facebook: “I’ve said it many times before, and I will say it again; I am proud to play alongside a champion like Shakib. As a teammate and brother, I will stand by him in difficult times, and I do not support the false accusations against him because I know that he would never engage in inhumane acts.”
Shakib’s inclusion in the team faced criticism and protests earlier in August. The interim government allowed Shakib, who has not commented on the political crisis, to participate in the series. Earlier on Sunday, Shanto dedicated the victory to the people who lost their lives during the protests. “We honor those who have recently passed away in our nation during the protests and pray for their souls,” Shanto stated after the match.
Shakib is Bangladesh’s key all-rounder, with 4,520 runs in 68 Test matches and 2,241 wickets as a spinner, the highest for any Bangladeshi bowler in Test cricket. However, he has been involved in controversies and breaches of cricket rules in the past, including bans for corruption and suspensions related to his on-field conduct.
In Dhaka, there have been protests against Shakib’s inclusion in the team, where former member of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Rafiqul Islam, criticized him for remaining silent while protesters were killed during clashes with security forces. Shakib joined the team in Pakistan after participating in the Global T20 Canada league, where he also faced chants against him from Bangladeshi fans.
The unrest in Dhaka prevented the team from gathering for training sessions. The team received some relief when the Pakistan Cricket Board invited them to arrive four days early to compensate for their lack of preparation. Bangladesh achieved their first victory over Pakistan in 14 Test matches with a convincing 10-wicket win on Sunday, after both teams struggled under hot conditions on a flat pitch in Rawalpindi. Shakib scored 15 runs and took four wickets during the match. However, he was fined and received a demerit point after the umpire found that he violated the code of conduct by throwing a ball over the head of Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan while waiting to bowl to him. The second and final Test will also be played in Rawalpindi starting Friday.