Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has seized all bank accounts of former national cricket team captain Shakib Al Hasan. The BFIU confirmed this to journalists last night. On October 2, the agency had summoned all the bank account information of Shakib and his wife Umm Ahmed Shishir and their business organisations to investigate manipulations and financial irregularities in the capital market. After the investigation, BFIU seized all his bank accounts on the orders of the government. Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the capital market regulatory body, fined Shakib Tk 50 lakh on September 24 for violating the securities law by manipulating the shares of Paramount Insurance. Read: BFIU seeks bank account information of Shakib Al Hasan, his wife Shakib, a star all-rounder, was elected Member of Parliament from Magura-1 Constituency for Awami League in the last parliamentary elections. He was accused in a murder case filed at Adabar police station after the fall of Hasina's government on August 5. Shakib Al Hasan is currently staying in the United States with his family.

The Bangladesh cricket team is all set to begin their two-match Test series against South Africa on Monday with the Dhaka Test, which will be the first Test of the hosts after their premier allrounder Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement. Before the Kanpur Test during Bangladesh’s last India tour, Shakib announced his retirement and expressed his desire to play his final Test in Dhaka in front of the home crowd. However, due to his political identity, Shakib was advised not to come to Bangladesh because of safety concerns, which has effectively made the Kanpur Test his last. Shanto calls Shakib’s absence ‘unfortunate’ ahead of South Africa Test Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, however, said he still hopes Shakib will one day retire in front of the home crowd. Keeping the Shakib controversy behind, the Bangladesh team is looking forward to changing their fate against South Africa, the team they never beat in Tests. “If we talk to0 much about this, nothing will change,” Shanto said. “Rather, we want to play good cricket and execute our plan well. If we can play according to our plan, we can get a different result against South Africa this time.” It’s been a decade since South Africa won a Test series in the subcontinent, which proved their dismal performance in the format in the subcontinent. Bangladesh’s new coach, Phil Simmons, who took the post after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) suspended the previous coach, Chandika Hatushingha, said it’s a great opportunity for Bangladesh. “It is definitely a good opportunity. Bangladesh are usually very strong at home. So it is a very good opportunity for us to win the Test series,” Simmons said on his first interaction with media in Bangladesh. Shanto also echoed the same idea. He said Bangladesh will be the favorite in this series. He added that spinners will play a crucial role in this series. “This series is going to be difficult for both teams,” the Bangladesh captain said. “I think we are a bit ahead of them at home. Spinners will play a big role there, as always. I am not looking for anything extra, just what they did in the past.”

Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, on Thursday regretted the inability to accord the country's biggest cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan his farewell from cricket on home soil. However, he acknowledged the ongoing public discontent regarding Shakib's association with the ousted Awami League government, describing it as a natural response. Shakib’s final Test appearance called off over security fears "There is public resentment due to Shakib Al Hasan's association with the Awami fascist government," he stated, emphasising the importance of addressing these concerns. Despite Shakib's efforts to clarify his political position through a Facebook post aimed at soothing public frustration, recent protests demonstrated that "it has become evident... that it was not enough." The sports adviser remarked that "those who are protesting also have the constitutional right to do so, underlining the legitimacy of their grievances." Shakib included in squad for South Africa Test In light of the upcoming series between South Africa and Bangladesh, Asif advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to discourage Shakib playing in the country for the time being, aiming to prevent any undesirable situations. He explained that this decision was made "as an urgent measure to protect both the players' safety and the country's image in international sports." Asif concluded with a call for respecting the law, stating, "If there are any complaints, solutions can be sought through the legal process."

Amidst concerns over facing possible public anger for his role in the student-led protests that ousted Bangladesh’s iron-fisted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan said he is not coming home to play a Test match in Dhaka, which he said his last match in the format.  This made the last Test of the series between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur the last Test of Shakib’s career.  Before that match in Kanpur, Shakib announced his retirement from the longest format of international cricket and expressed his desire to play his last Test in front of the home crowd in Dhaka. But this wish is about to remain unfulfilled.  In an interview with bdnews24 from Dubai, Shakib—on a transit stop during his journey back—addressed his change of plans. “I was supposed to return home, but now I might not be able to do so due to security issues, for my own safety,” he said. It’s clear that Shakib was forced to cancel his plan due to ongoing protests about his homecoming. A group of protesting students burned his effigy on Wednesday at the University of Dhaka. Another group planned to submit a letter to BCB urging them to prevent Shakib from entering the stadium. Shakib's silence during the student-led protest against the Sheikh Hasina government led to this situation. The toppled administration led by Sheikh Hasina tried to quell the protest using deadly weapons that eventually left at least 1000 killed.  Shakib’s homecoming in limbo as protest threat looms large Despite being one of the most celebrated cricketers in Bangladesh’s history, Shakib was silent during the protests, which triggered an angry reaction from the protesting students, who expected Shakib to stand by them. But Shakib, who was also a member of the Awami League government, posted his happy pictures on social media during the protests, which  fueled the anger against him.  When Shakib announced his retirement in Kanpur, he also expressed concerns about his safety if he returned home. He urged the board to ensure his safety during his stay in Dhaka. But the board and the sports ministry reacted in tough words. The sports ministry was led by a student leader, Asif Mahmud, who was among the top organizers of the porters. He is one of the two student leaders who were appointed as advisers in the current interim government.  Later, the sports adviser said they would ensure security for Shakib when he returned home. However, the government changed its stance in reaction to the ongoing protests against Shakib.  A high-ranking government official confirmed Wednesday night that Shakib was advised to forgo his plan to return due to the current political climate. This situation suggests that Shakib’s Test career may now have reached an unofficial end.  

Former Bangladesh captain and allrounder Shakib Al Hasan’s return to Bangladesh has become uncertain as student protesters burned his effigy on Wednesday. Shakib has earlier said that he wants to play the last Test match of his career in Dhaka, in front of the home crowd. Shakib has been named in Bangladesh's squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, with the first match set for October 21 in Mirpur. Shakib included in squad for South Africa Test According to sources within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Shakib is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday at 11:20 p.m. However, his return now appears uncertain due to Wednesday’s protests and the threat of more demonstrations. A high government official confirmed to UNB that concerns over public anger have led to advisories against Shakib’s coming to Dhaka for his own safety. A leader of the protesting student group, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they intend to submit a letter to the BCB headquarters on Thursday afternoon, urging the board to prevent Shakib from entering the stadium. No legal bar for Shakib to return home: Adviser Asif The group has also called on more students and protesters to join them at the BCB headquarters. Earlier, Asif Mahmud, the sports adviser for Bangladesh’s interim government, assured that necessary security arrangements would be provided for Shakib and suggested that he clarify his political stance. In response, Shakib issued an apology on social media for his silence during the protests in July and August against the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina, who was viewed as autocratic. Shakib Al Hasan ‘sorry for silence’ during student movement After the student-led protests ousted the Sheikh Hasina government, of which Shakib was a member, hundreds of legal cases were filed against the leaders of the Sheikh Hasina party, including Shakib.  

There are no legal barriers for cricketer Shakib Al Hasan to return to Bangladesh, said Asif Mahmood Sojib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Tuesday.“There are currently no legal obstacles to Shakib Al Hasan coming to the country,” said Asif. We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of every player, and we will do it,” he said while speaking at the “BSRF Exchange of Views” event at the media centre of the Secretariat. Shakib Al Hasan ‘sorry for silence’ during student movement He further explained that he had sought clarity on the legal situation over Shakib's potential return, given the ongoing murder case against him.When asked whether Shakib would be arrested upon his arrival, Asif said, “Legal matters are legal matters; I cannot comment on that. The case is sub judice, and the Ministry of Law is the appropriate authority to address any concerns related to it.”“If the court issues any order that are a matter for the court. So far, there are no legal barriers,” he said. BFIU seeks bank account information of Shakib Al Hasan, his wife BSRF General Secretary Masudul Haque conducted the session, while Fosiha Uddin Mahtab presided over the event.

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, a regular face in the commentary box during the ongoing India-Bangladesh series, expressed concerns that infrastructural shortcomings are hindering the development of Bangladesh cricket. Tamim gave an interview to the Indian sports magazine, Sportstar, where he candidly discussed his retirement, potential return to international cricket, his relationship with Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's continued struggles in Test matches, and the factors impeding the cricketing progress of Bangladesh. In the extensive interview, Tamim also addressed the possibility of a Bangladeshi coach leading the national team. The former captain, who has scored over 15,000 runs and 25 centuries in international cricket, said that the lack of adequate facilities in Dhaka is a big factor to the slow development of Bangladesh cricket. “I made my debut in 2006-2007, and as we speak in 2024, not a single new training facility has been developed in Dhaka over the past 17 years,” Tamim said while discussing the areas Bangladesh cricket needs to focus on for growth. “Some aspects in Bangladesh are fine, but most need to change.” Tamim was critical of the board's financial management. The previous board president, Nazmul Hasan, often boasted about the board having hundreds of crores of taka in the bank to indicate the financial strength of the board. However, Tamim believes that instead of accumulating money in bank accounts, the board should invest it in developing infrastructure. “The funniest thing is that when the BCB claims to have Rs 1200 crore in its bank account, it feels like a slap in the face,” Tamim said. “There shouldn’t be 1200 crore sitting idle; there should be 200 crore in the account, and the remaining 1000 should be invested in developing infrastructure.” He added that corporate entities typically reinvest their earnings to facilitate growth, something the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) fails to do. The left-handed batter also questioned the absence of another facility in Dhaka comparable to the one in Mirpur and advocated for the need for good quality pitches across the country. “You definitely need a facility like Mirpur, and while I’m okay with playing to your strengths on certain pitches, it’s crucial to produce quality wickets at the domestic level as well,” he said. “This way, you can test your cricketers and prepare them for the international stage.” Regarding his potential return to international cricket, Tamim said that there needs to be a clear path and purpose for him to consider it. He neither explicitly ruled out a return nor definitively confirmed it. On his relationship with Shakib, Tamim remained somewhat vague and did not explicitly state what transpired between them to cause their relationship to deteriorate. Furthermore, one of Bangladesh's all-time best batters expressed his belief that Bangladesh currently lacks someone capable of being the head coach of the national team. He suggested that the board should recruit coaching staff for the national team at a 30:70 ratio, with 30% being foreign coaches in top positions and the remaining 70% being local officials, allowing them to develop for a better future. Tags: BCB, Bangladesh cricket, Tigers, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan

The Bangladesh team is set to begin their T20I campaign on October 6 without the services of long-time stalwart Shakib Al Hasan. The former Bangladesh captain recently announced his retirement from the format, leaving the team with a pressing question: who will replace Shakib in the T20I format? It was expected that Shakib would play in the three-match T20I series against India following the two-match Test series. However, ahead of the second Test in Kanpur, Shakib surprised everyone by announcing his retirement from both Test and T20I formats, making him unavailable for the T20I series. Mashrafe sued over hostile takeover of shares in BPL franchise In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) included Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the squad. But the question remains: will Mehidy truly replace Shakib in this format? Shakib played 129 T20Is, amassing over 2,500 runs and taking 149 wickets. In contrast, Mehidy has played just 25 T20Is, scoring 248 runs and claiming 14 wickets. These stats clearly demonstrate that Shakib has been an irreplaceable figure in Bangladesh’s T20 setup. While Mehidy is a spinning all-rounder like Shakib, he cannot yet replicate what Shakib brings to the table. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed hope that Mehidy can rise to the challenge left by Shakib. However, he stopped short of calling Mehidy a direct replacement. “It will be a bit difficult to adjust now. There will be some challenges in forming the playing eleven,” Najmul said. “Shakib used to provide balance on both fronts—batting and bowling. We have brought Mehidy into the team, and I hope he will quickly adapt to that role.” Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that finding a like-for-like replacement for Shakib would be difficult. Authorities unable to provide Shakib 'guarantee of safety' from public anger After the Kanpur Test, which Bangladesh surprisingly lost in just over two days, Hathurusingha expressed his shock at Shakib’s sudden retirement announcement. In T20Is, Bangladesh has struggled to perform consistently, but Shakib was a steady presence, which earned him spots in various private leagues worldwide. While Bangladesh may find someone capable of performing well in the format, Shakib’s absence will undoubtedly haunt the team for some time.

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's most accomplished cricketer, finds himself at the center of a swirling debate regarding his commitment to the national team. His return to the team for the second Test starting tomorrow against Sri Lanka, after missing earlier matches in the series, has reignited questions about his priorities and the impact his sporadic appearances have on the team. The left-handed all-rounder last appeared in a First-Class match a year ago, during a Test against Ireland in Dhaka. Now, after a year-long hiatus from the longest format of cricket, he is set to play another Test without any intervening First-Class appearances. He has not played any international matches in 2024, despite Bangladesh having played seven matches. While the reasons for his absence remain unclear, his abrupt end to the 2023 World Cup was due to a finger injury, which also caused him to miss the home Test series against New Zealand and the subsequent away T20I and ODI series against the same opponent following Bangladesh's disastrous World Cup outing. Shakib Al Hasan diagnosed with retinal condition in left eye Shakib's undeniable talent and past contributions are unquestioned. He is a genuine all-rounder, capable of winning matches with both bat and ball. However, in recent years, his appearances for the national team have been inconsistent, with breaks taken for personal reasons, injuries, and even political activities (while the Bangladesh team was busy playing against New Zealand in New Zealand late last year, Shakib was actively campaigning for the national election in his constituency, Magura district). This inconsistency has led to a sense of unease and frustration among fans and experts alike. During the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shakib faced an eye issue that required medical attention. This issue reportedly affected him during the World Cup, contributing to his lean batting display, as he hinted in an interview with a cricket website. Despite this, he continued playing in the BPL, leading to rumors that he would take a break after the tournament. However, even before the BPL concluded, he contradicted earlier statements from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) by claiming that he had no issues with his eyes. Shakib Al Hasan named ICC Men's Player of the Month for March 2023 Ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, Shakib declared himself available, and the BCB promptly included him in the squad. This sudden turnaround has raised eyebrows and fueled the perception that Shakib dictates his own terms when it comes to playing for the national team. With his standout performances over the years, he made himself a difficult figure to criticize, though, the performance doesn't. His absence from the earlier matches of the Sri Lanka series was attributed to personal activities, including brand endorsements. While these pursuits are understandable, their prioritization over national duty has left some questioning his commitment. The times Shakib Al Hasan found himself in controversies Shakib's leadership during the 2023 World Cup, which he himself acknowledged as one of Bangladesh's worst performances in the tournament, also comes under scrutiny. The team lost seven out of nine matches, including a shocking defeat to the Netherlands. This poor showing has led some to question his captaincy and ability to lead the team effectively. Now, with his return for the second Test, Shakib's intentions and potential contribution are under the microscope. Is he returning to be the savior of a struggling team who lost the first Test by a margin of over 300 runs, or will his sporadic appearances further disrupt the rhythm and morale that the team is trying to build? There are arguments to be made on both sides. On the one hand, Shakib's talent and experience are undeniable assets to the team. His presence can boost the morale of the players and provide much-needed stability in the batting and bowling departments. On the other hand, his inconsistent availability can disrupt team dynamics and make it difficult for the team management to build a cohesive unit. Ultimately, the question of whether Shakib, in recent years, is a savior or disruptor for the Bangladesh national team remains open. His performance in the upcoming Test and his future commitment to the team will be crucial in determining the answer.

The special committee, constituted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in late November last year, convened with Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal to analyze the disappointing performance of the Bangladesh team in the World Cup. However, the committee has not disclosed the outcome of these discussions. Enayat Hossain Siraj, the convenor of the committee, indicated that the media department of BCB would host a press conference to unveil the results. BPL 2024: Chattogram's winning streak continue “These matters are not something that can be divulged to the media at this moment,” Enayet Hossain stated during a media interaction in Sylhet, where Shakib and Tamim are busy for their teams in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). “Because this has been handled very confidentially. When the time is right, the information will be shared collectively, and the public will also be informed. We have held separate discussions with both Shakib and Tamim,” he added. BCB to Discuss Bangladesh’s World Cup Disappointment with Shakib It is understood that the BCB president is set to travel to Indonesia for a meeting of the Asian Cricket Council, with his return expected in early February. The BCB is anticipated to conduct a board meeting at that time, during which the findings of the special committee regarding Bangladesh's performance in the 2023 World Cup will be disclosed. Enayet Hossain confirmed that the committee he leads has completed its work, and they will submit their findings to the board. This committee has two more members— Akram Khan and Mahbub Anam. West Indies Pull Off an Epic Test Win in Australia After 27 Years In the previous World Cup, Bangladesh secured victory in only two out of the nine matches they played. Shakib, who captained the team during the tournament, labeled it as the worst World Cup ever for the Bangladesh team.