Staff Correspondent

Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has urged former Awami League MP and cricketer Shakib Al Hasan to clarify his political position to ease public anger.

“It is possible to provide Shakib Al Hasan with security as a player of the country, but it is ‘not possible’ to guarantee it if there is public anger,” the advisor said during a press conference at the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Sunday afternoon.

Asif continued, “We must remember that Shakib Al Hasan has two identities here: one as a player and another as a politician. He was elected an MP from the Awami League. There are mixed reactions surrounding these two identities.”

Shakib had entered parliament for Magura-1 constituency in the 12 general elections.

However, on Aug 5, when the Awami League government was toppled in student-led protests, Shakib was in Canada playing in a cricket league.

Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina stepped down as prime minister and fled to India, with several senior party members going into hiding or getting arrested.

Several murder charges have been filed against those involved in the protest crackdowns, and Shakib is also a defendant in one of these cases.

Though Shakib has not returned to Bangladesh since the political changeover, he continues to play for the national team.

After Canada, he travelled to England to play county cricket and then went to Pakistan, where he was part of Bangladesh’s historic Test series win.

He is currently in India playing Test matches.

The day before the second Test in Kanpur, Shakib said he had played his last T20 match for the national team. He intends to retire from Test cricket after the upcoming series against South Africa on home soil in October.

However, Shakib’s return to Bangladesh remains uncertain due to the murder case hanging over him, adding layers of complications.

After announcing his retirement, Shakib said: “I want to play and feel safe. When I need to leave the country, I should be able to do so without issues. The board is aware of the situation, and those involved are looking into it.”

Although Shakib is awaiting guidance from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, or BCB, the board’s President Faruk Ahmed clarified on Sept 26 that the BCB would host a farewell event for Shakib’s Test career if he returns to play against South Africa.

However, he added that the board will not be responsible for his security arrangements or the process of ensuring his departure after the series.

During Sunday’s press conference, journalists drew the sports advisor’s attention to the BCB president’s comments.

Asif said that if Shakib is not directly involved in the murder of garment worker Rubel, efforts will be made to have his name cleared from the case.

Asif said, “As a player, we will provide him with the necessary security when he returns to the country.”

“Imagine if I have five police constables and one gunman for my security, and there is anger from 10 million people among 160 million in the country, then what safety can those five or six provide me? I, too, would have no chance of being safe in that scenario,” he added.

The advisor continued, “If there is any public anger, it is my responsibility to reduce it through dialogue. I believe he needs to clarify his political stance. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has already spoken on this matter.”

Asif concluded, “It is important to clarify this political aspect. We must ensure the safety of every player, and we will uphold that responsibility.”