• Shakib Al Hasan, a cricket star linked to former PM Hasina, is prepared to return to Bangladesh from exile.
• He faces charges including murder and has been in the U.S. since Hasina's ousting in August 2024.
• The 39-year-old aims to play a farewell series and participate in the 2027 Cricket World Cup if safety is assured.

Shakib Al Hasan, the renowned Bangladeshi cricketer and ally of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has expressed his willingness to return to Bangladesh after a two-year exile. He stated that he would face trial on multiple charges—including murder—if the government guarantees his safety. Shakib has been residing in the United States since Hasina's fall from power in August 2024 during a violent uprising, which led to the deaths of about 1,400 people, according to the United Nations. He seeks to play a farewell series in his homeland and hopes to represent Bangladesh in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, emphasizing his ongoing passion for the sport, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and India Times.

Shakib's situation reflects broader issues in Bangladesh, where various political figures loyal to Hasina are facing legal challenges and living in exile. He articulated his readiness to return if his safety is ensured, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his political connections. The current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration’s willingness to accommodate Shakib and others from Hasina's government remains unclear. Shakib noted, “If I get the clearance from the government that my security will be ensured, I am happy to go back, face the court trial and everything that's needed to be done,” indicating his stance on the charges against him, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

He detailed his unsuccessful attempts to return home, including a flight he took in late 2024, which he believed was coordinated with assurances of safety that subsequently fell through. Reports indicate that he was instructed to turn back while in transit. Additionally, after a birthday message for Hasina was posted on social media, authorities cited it as a justification for barring his re-entry. Shakib has rejected advice from officials to distance himself from Hasina and the Awami League, stating, “There is no way I will consider that,” emphasizing his unwillingness to separate from his political ties, according to India Times.

Despite these challenges, he remains committed to his cricket career, stating, “I am playing most of the franchise leagues. I am feeling good, still enjoying the game.” However, he also acknowledged the pressure of age, affirming, “But ... age is not on my side at this moment, so I cannot wait for too long.” The strain of his two-year separation from his family in Bangladesh has also taken a toll on him, as he has not seen his parents during this period, adding, “It’s been difficult for all of us, but we are surviving,” according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.