Tensions flared in Dhaka on Sunday as fans of beloved all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan clashed with rival protesters ahead of his scheduled farewell Test match against South Africa.
The altercation turned violent, with protesters armed with sticks and bamboo confronting Shakib`s supporters.
Shakib, who served as a member of parliament for the Awami League under Sheikh Hasina, has been away from Bangladesh since protests began in July, following the end of Hasina’s 15-year rule and her subsequent flight to India amid civil unrest.
Despite assurances from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that he would be safe upon his return, public sentiment has soured due to his silence during the protests.
Now 37, Shakib was set to play his final Test match in Dhaka starting Monday, but his absence has heightened tensions as fans express their frustrations.
While he has publicly acknowledged his regret for not addressing the protests sooner, he has encouraged his supporters to come out for the match.
According to police, the situation escalated outside the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium when opposing groups clashed. "Army personnel quickly came in to restore order," a police official reported.
Shakib is widely regarded as one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers, but his political connections add complexity to his situation, particularly during this period of political transition.
He announced his retirement from Test cricket in September, closing the chapter on an impressive career that includes 71 Test matches, 247 One-Day Internationals, and 129 Twenty20 Internationals, with a total of 14,730 runs and 712 wickets. As fans hold onto their hopes for his return, the emotional weight of this farewell match looms large.
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