Law Adviser Asif Nazrul broke his silence on Shakib Al Hasan, saying he finds no illogicality in the public anger against the ace star cricketer.
The allrounder was scheduled to return home on Thursday to play the first Test of the upcoming Bangladesh-South Africa series in Dhaka, which he said would be his last match in the format.
However, due to demonstrations against him for his role during the student-led protests that toppled the previous government of Sheikh Hasina, the celebrated cricketer was forced to rescind his plan to return home.
A group of demonstrators, mostly students, submitted a letter warning the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) against playing Shakib on home soil.
At the same time, his fans chanted slogans in his favour on Friday.
“There is no player like Shakib in Bangladesh’s history,” Asif Nazrul said during a programme aired by private TV station - Channel I. “He could have been the most popular man in Bangladesh’s history. But for his involvement with a fascist government, he said.
Asif Nazrul indicated that Shakib’s role in the previous government made it difficult for him to maintain the stardom he once enjoyed.
“I just can’t believe it… When people were being killed, when there was crying, anger, and suffering everywhere, he posted that he was ‘enjoying life at’—I don’t know where. How is it possible for a human being?” Asif Nazrul said, referring to a social media post Shakib shared during the protests, showing his happy life in Toronto.
“And then being involved in betting, unruly behaviour… Sometimes I feel people will say I’m talking too much, but I think Sheikh Hasina is also responsible for this. She created a system where anything can be forgiven, and anyone can get indemnity if they are loyal to her. It can confuse anyone, which might have happened to Shakib. I feel for him, but the anger against him doesn’t feel unwarranted,” Asif Nazrul added.
During Bangladesh's recent India tour, Shakib announced his retirement ahead of the Kanpur Test and said he wanted to play his last Test in front of the home crowd. However, he also expressed concerns about his safety at home due to his political identity and his role during the protest, which the Sheikh Hasina government attempted to crack down on with brutal force, resulting in at least a thousand deaths.
