Former Bangladesh cricket captain and former Awami League MP Shakib Al Hasan’s house in Magura was attacked on Wednesday, just hours after he appeared at former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s virtual press conference.
The attack took place between 8:45 pm and 9:00 pm. Magura Sadar Police officer Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said a group of miscreants pelted stones at the house and smashed its windows.
The attackers also allegedly tried to set the house on fire. Reports claim they brought petrol-filled soft drink bottles to carry out the arson attempt.
Fortunately, the house was empty at the time of the attack, and no injuries were reported. Shakib is currently in Sri Lanka. Police have since been deployed at the property.
Shakib attended Hasina’s virtual meeting
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed people virtually on Wednesday for the first time in two years. Her camera remained switched off throughout the address.
Hasina delivered a 25-minute speech. Former Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury were also present during the virtual meeting.
Shakib continued playing cricket even after becoming an MP
Even after being elected to Parliament, Shakib continued to play international cricket and participate in T20 leagues. He also faced criticism during the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh.
During the student-led protests against the government job quota system, Shakib was accused of remaining silent because he was an Awami League MP.
After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, several Awami League leaders’ and MPs’ homes were attacked across Bangladesh. Shakib’s house in Magura was also targeted, though he was not at home at the time.
Murder case filed against Shakib, similar to Sheikh Hasina
After the August 2024 coup, Shakib Al Hasan left Bangladesh and was not arrested. Later, several criminal cases were filed against him, including a murder case linked to the death of a man during the student protests.
Shakib was abroad when the cases were registered, and Bangladeshi police were unable to arrest him.
