The many faces of Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan recently posted an emotional message on his Facebook page, expressing his desire to play his final Test on home soil and seeking the support of his fans. However, it raises the question - why did he feel the need to ask for something that is almost guaranteed from Bangladesh's cricket-loving public? Shakib's plea for support seems to stem from his own controversial actions.

During the student-led anti-discrimination movement in July and August, several Bangladeshi cricketers expressed their concern, calling for an end to the violence. But Shakib Al Hasan remained silent. This silence drew harsh criticism at the time, especially since Shakib had been elected as a member of parliament in January under the ruling Awami League banner.

Now, more than two months after the protests, Shakib has finally broken his silence. In the post, he expressed his desire to play his final Test at home against South Africa. But being named in a murder case, Shakib requested assurances of security to safely play and leave the country afterwards. Yet, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan's statements had cast doubt on Shakib's farewell on home soil.

The BCB president remarked that they cannot guarantee to provide individual security to Shakib. A few days later, the sports adviser dismissed Shakib's concerns about his security as unreasonable, citing public resentment against him for his role as a member of the government. He also called for Shakib to clarify his political stance. Despite this, Asif Mahmud later assured that Shakib would be given top-level security in the country.

Soon after, Shakib apologised and clarified his political position in a post, stating, "I express my utmost respect for the love of every person in my country. Your prayers and affection have helped me become the Shakib Al Hasan who is now respected worldwide. First, I 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."

Unsurprisingly, this post has received mixed reactions. Many are critical of Shakib's timing. During the protests, the public expected him to speak up, but he remained silent. Now, after the movement has ended, Shakib's post appears self-serving, aimed at securing his own interests. He also apologised for his silence, writing, "I extend my deepest respect and condolences to them and their families. 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 apologise. If I were in your place, I too might have been upset."

The backlash to Shakib's post largely stems from his inaction during the protests. At the time, he went so far as to question a fan's criticism of his silence, asking, "What have you done for the country?" Moreover, as the violence escalated, Shakib was busy enjoying holidays with his family and his wife was sharing those moments on social media. His behaviour during the nation's crisis left many deeply disappointed. Now, with a change in tone, Shakib's sudden embrace of the public raises doubts—is he once again using fans' emotions for his own gain?

This isn't the first time Shakib has contradicted himself. He seems quite adept at doing so. A prime example was the controversy surrounding Tamim Iqbal ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Shakib's feud with Tamim reached its peak, and played a part in Tamim stepping down from his role as Bangladesh's ODI captain, citing injury as the reason. Eventually, Tamim was left out of the World Cup squad.

Before the World Cup, Shakib remarked, "Playing while injured is like cheating the country. I believe no one should play unless they are fully fit." At first glance, his comment seems reasonable. But when Shakib himself played with an injury, it undermined his own words. Shakib competed in the World Cup despite having vision issues. He had been dealing with this problem for a year, seeking treatment from specialists in India and Bangladesh. 

His vision issues had noticeably affected his batting, and despite the impairment, he continued to play. In February 2024, Shakib stated that he had no issues with his eyesight, even though he had played against Pakistan and India while struggling with the same problem. So, does this mean Shakib cheated the country, by his own logic? 

Shakib had also previously said that he would not enter politics. However, he failed to keep that promise. On 14 September 2013, Shakib wrote in a Facebook post, "I am not joining politics, and I have no intention of joining politics in my life."

At that time, Shakib had attended a political event at the request of then BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon. This sparked rumours about him entering politics. To clarify his position, Shakib posted that status. However, more than a decade later, Shakib changed his stance and entered politics, eventually being elected as a Member of Parliament.

Shakib is regarded as Bangladesh's greatest cricketer, with his name linked to many of the nation's proudest cricketing moments. Fans will undoubtedly want his farewell to be as grand as his achievements. However, his inability to match his words with actions has become a dark chapter in his career, one that tarnishes an otherwise legendary status. And Shakib Al Hasan will have to live with that, only if he cares so.