Bangladesh cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan has issued an emotional and unconditional apology for his silence during the recent civil unrest against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a gesture that may pave the way for a farewell Test match at home against South Africa. The iconic all-rounder is targeting the opening Test of the series, scheduled to begin on October 21 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, as his final appearance in Bangladesh’s national whites.
Shakib, who is widely regarded as one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers, took to social media to address the concerns and grievances of his fans and countrymen regarding his silence during the people’s uprising, a movement that saw significant unrest and protests against discrimination and the government’s policies. In a heartfelt post on his official Facebook page, Shakib expressed his condolences to the victims of the protests and apologized for not speaking out during the critical period.
“Firstly, I would like to pay my respects to all the students who sacrificed their lives, led the anti-discrimination movement, and were martyred or injured during the people’s uprising,” wrote the 37-year-old all-rounder. “While no sacrifice can compensate for the loss of a loved one, nothing can fill the void of losing a child or a brother. To those of you who were hurt by my silence during this critical period, I respect your feelings and sincerely apologize. If I were in your place, I too might have been upset.”
Shakib’s apology comes amid personal and political challenges. He has been named in a murder case in Bangladesh, with accusations linking him to the killing of a student during the unrest, despite the fact that Shakib was playing in a T20 league in Canada at the time. His involvement in politics, having served as a Member of Parliament in Sheikh Hasina’s government, has further complicated matters. Shakib acknowledged the frustration of those who expected him to speak up, given his prominent public role.
Eyeing a Farewell Test Match
Shakib has expressed his desire to play one final Test match on home soil, with the first Test against South Africa potentially marking his swansong. The second match of the series is scheduled for Chittagong, but it is widely believed that Shakib will only participate in the Mirpur Test before departing for the United States, where he resides with his wife and three children.
Shakib’s international career has been illustrious, with 71 Test matches under his belt for Bangladesh. Known for his all-round brilliance, Shakib’s contributions with both bat and ball have made him a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s cricketing success over the years. However, his recent political entanglements and personal challenges have cast a shadow over the latter part of his career.
During Bangladesh’s recent Test series in India, Shakib expressed his wish to end his career with a final home Test, provided adequate security could be arranged for him. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed initially dismissed Shakib’s request, stating that the board was not responsible for providing security. However, the government’s sports advisor, Asif Mahmud, suggested that security could be arranged if Shakib clarified his political stance.
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In his public apology, Shakib distanced himself from political ambitions, explaining that his brief involvement in politics was solely driven by a desire to improve his hometown, Magura. “I was briefly the Member of Parliament from the Magura-1 constituency. My political involvement was primarily driven by my desire to contribute to the development of my hometown Magura,” he wrote. “At the end of the day, my primary identity is as a cricketer for Bangladesh. No matter where I have been or in what position, I have always carried cricket in my heart.”
An Emotional Farewell in Mirpur
As Shakib looks forward to his final Test appearance, the cricketing superstar made an emotional plea to his fans, expressing his wish to say goodbye with their support and love. “You all know that I will soon be playing my last match. I want to say goodbye with all of you around,” Shakib wrote. “At the moment of farewell, I want to shake hands with those whose applause compelled me to play better.”
He continued, “I want to meet the eyes of those who cheered in joy when I played well and whose eyes welled up with tears when I did not. I believe that at this farewell moment, you will all be with me. Together, we will close the story that, in truth, stars not me, but all of you.”
Shakib’s emotional message is expected to resonate deeply with the millions of Bangladeshi fans who have followed his cricketing journey since his debut in 2006. His farewell match at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium is likely to be a fitting end to a remarkable career, one that has left an indelible mark on the history of Bangladesh cricket.
