In a surprising turn of events, Bangladesh’s renowned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been implicated in an alleged murder case linked to recent civil protests in the country. Alongside Shakib, the FIR (First Information Report) names former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as several ex-ministers and lawmakers, as accused in the case.
Currently, Shakib is in Pakistan, representing Bangladesh in the first Test match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. He contributed by taking one wicket in 27 overs during Pakistan’s first innings, and was later dismissed for 15 runs in Bangladesh’s first innings.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Shakib is one of 147 individuals charged in connection with the case. The website confirmed this information through an officer at Dhaka’s Adabor police station, where the case was filed.
The case centers around the death of a garment worker named Mohammed Rubel. It was initiated by Rubel’s father, Rafiqul Islam, on Thursday. As reported by the Daily Star, Shakib is listed as the 28th accused in the FIR related to this alleged murder.
The complaint alleges that certain individuals, acting on direct or indirect instructions from others, opened fire during a student protest at Ring Road in the Adabor area on August 5. Rubel reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during the protest and succumbed to his injuries in a hospital two days later.
Beyond his cricketing fame, Shakib is also a former member of parliament affiliated with the Awami League, the political party that governed Bangladesh until earlier this month. The country has since been plunged into turmoil following widespread civil unrest.
Shakib’s Absence During the Protests
Notably, Shakib was not in Bangladesh during the August 5 protests. Even as the unrest escalated, leading to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister and her subsequent flight to India, Shakib was out of the country.
At the time, Shakib was in Canada, leading the Bangla Tigers Mississauga in the Global T20 Canada league in Brampton. Prior to that, he had been in the USA, participating in the Major League Cricket (MLC).
The Bangla Tigers Mississauga were eventually eliminated from the GT20 Canada tournament after Shakib, their captain, opted not to participate in the Super Over during the Eliminator match against the Toronto Nationals.
