Shakib Al Hasan Finally Opens Up on Bangladesh Protests

Star cricketer Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh has finally spoken out about the recent political unrest in his nation. In addition, he has expressed regret for his earlier quietness and said that he wants to say goodbye to the game he loves in a respectful manner.

The all-rounder started by paying tribute to the students who died or were injured during the anti-discrimination movement. He has become a contentious figure in recent months because of his political activity and absence from Bangladesh during the protests. 

Shakib Al Hasan on Bangladesh:

Shakib posted on his Facebook page, "First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to all the students who gave their lives in the people's uprising, spearheaded the anti-discrimination struggle, and suffered injuries or martyrdom. I send them and their families my sincere sympathies and respect. Though nothing can make up for the death of a sibling or child, no sacrifice will ever fully heal the pain of losing a loved one. I truly apologize to any of you who were offended by my silence during this difficult time. I might have been unhappy too if I were in your position."

সার্বিক পরিস্থিতি নিয়ে নিজের অবস্থান পরিষ্কার করলেন সাকিব আল হাসান#ShakibAlHasan pic.twitter.com/G88YsOEL7D

— Cricfrenzy.com (@Cricfrenzylive) October 9, 2024

A point of contention had been Shakib's quiet during the July rallies that brought down the Awami League government. Being the most well-known cricket player in Bangladesh and a member of parliament, he received backlash for his silence on the matter. The cricketer was also mentioned in a murder case connected to the protests, along with other leaders of the Awami League. Speaking on his brief time in politics, Shakib stated that his main goal was to help his community of Magura grow. 

"For a short while, I represented the Magura-1 constituency in parliament. My main motivation for getting involved in politics was my wish to see my hometown of Magura grow. Without having a specialized job in Bangladesh, it is difficult to directly affect the growth of one's location, as you are aware," he remarked.

Shakib said he was looking forward to leaving the game with his supporters on his side. On September 26, he declared his retirement from Test cricket, with the intention of playing his final game against South Africa in Dhaka. 

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