Former Bangladesh captain and one of the nation’s most celebrated cricketers, Shakib Al Hasan, has been named as one of 147 individuals accused in a murder case linked to the August protests in Bangladesh. The case, filed at Dhaka’s Adabor police station, lists Shakib as either the 27th or 28th accused, according to ESPNCricinfo.
The case revolves around the death of garment worker Mohammed Rubel, who succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during a rally on Ring Road in Adabor, Dhaka. His father, Rafiqul Islam, lodged the complaint, alleging that some of the accused fired shots at the protesters on August 5, leading to Rubel’s death.
Reports from the Dhaka Tribune and The Daily Star also highlight the severe unrest that followed the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights estimating over 400 fatalities during the unrest.
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Interestingly, Shakib was not in Bangladesh during the protests, as he was in Canada leading the Bangla Tigers Mississauga in the Global T20 Canada league.
Shakib’s ties to the political landscape are notable, as he had been elected to parliament from his hometown of Magura earlier this year. Following the regime change, the Bangladesh Cricket Board underwent significant changes, with former captain Faruque Ahmed assuming the presidency.
Shakib, a key figure in international cricket, has played in 67 Tests, 247 ODIs, and 129 T20Is, amassing over 14,500 international runs and 703 wickets. He is also a prominent player in various global franchise leagues, including the IPL, PSL, CPL, and BPL.