Murder case opened against Shakib-Al-Hasan during Bangladesh unrest

The former captain played for the Bangla Tigers Mississauga in the Global T20 Canada League from July 26 to August 9 and was previously in the USA for Major League Cricket until mid-July. File | Image credit: AP

Bangladeshi star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been named as one of the accused in connection with an alleged murder that took place amid recent protests and violence in Bangladesh that left hundreds dead.

The 37-year-old former Bangladesh captain, a former lawmaker in the Awami League regime led by Sheikh Hasina, was one of 147 people charged with an alleged murder during the protests in early August, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee the country. Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus took over the post of chief adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh.

The murder case was reported by Rafiqul Islam at the Adabor police station in Dhaka. The accused, in addition to Mr Shakib, include Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and numerous former ministers and members of the party.

Islam's son Rubel was killed on August 7 during protests that plunged the country into political turmoil.

Mr Shakib, who is either the 27th or 28th accused in the First Information Report (FIR), was in Bangladesh on August 5 or at any time during the protests.

The former captain played for the Bangla Tigers Mississauga in the Global T20 Canada League in Brampton from July 26 to August 9 and was previously in the United States until mid-July to take part in Major League Cricket.

According to the Daily StarThe indictment states: “The plaintiff alleged that some of the defendants, on the instructions of others, opened fire directly or indirectly when hundreds of students, including Mr. Rubel, protested on the Ring Road in the Adabor district on August 5.”

“Mr Rubel was injured in the exchange of fire and died two days later in hospital,” the FIR states.

Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, there were also significant changes at the Bangladesh Cricket Board: Former national team captain Faruque Ahmed became the new president on Wednesday (21 August 2024) after incumbent Nazmul Hasan Papon resigned.