Ex-Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan's Magura home attacked, pelted with stones

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan's home in Magura was attacked and pelted with stones by unidentified individuals on Wednesday evening. The incident came hours after Shakib took part in former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina's press conference.Shakib Al Hasan's home in Bangladesh was attacked, pelted with stones. Courtesy: PTIThe house of former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan in Magura came under attack on Wednesday evening after unidentified individuals allegedly pelted it with bricks and stones, damaging parts of the property in the latest incident linked to the country's volatile political climate.According to Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo, the incident took place at around 8:45 pm local time at Shakib's residence in the Keshab Mor area of Magura town. Police said they were yet to identify those responsible for the attack.Magura Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that several windowpanes of the house were shattered during the incident. Fortunately, no one was injured, and police personnel were deployed to the area soon after receiving information.The officer further said preliminary findings indicated that petrol had been poured on the house's iron gate before it was set on fire. However, investigators found no evidence suggesting that a petrol bomb had been used. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, though no arrests had been reported at the time of writing. POLITICAL TIES KEEP SHAKIB IN SPOTLIGHTWhile regarded as Bangladesh's greatest all-round cricketer, Shakib has remained a polarising figure because of his political association with the Awami League. He was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Magura-1 constituency in the 2024 general election as an Awami League candidate, a poll that opposition parties and critics described as lacking genuine competition.The Awami League has since been banned from political activities in Bangladesh following the dramatic political upheaval that saw former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lose power in August 2024. On Wednesday, Hasina addressed a press conference from exile, calling for the ban on her party to be lifted and reiterating her intention to return to Bangladesh later this year despite facing multiple legal challenges. Shakib was also part of Sheikh Hasina's press conference, further highlighting his continued association with the former ruling party at a time of heightened political tensions in the country.SHAKIB YET TO RETURN TO BANGLADESHSince the fall of the Hasina government, Shakib has not returned to Bangladesh. Multiple legal cases were filed against him after the political transition, including a murder case in which he was named among several accused. The former Bangladesh captain has repeatedly said he wants to return home and face the legal process but only if he is assured of his personal safety and protection from harassment.The veteran all-rounder, who has continued to play franchise cricket overseas while living with his family in the United States, has maintained that security concerns remain the biggest obstacle to his return. Earlier this year, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also left the door open for Shakib's return to the national team.Since last playing for Bangladesh back in the 2024 tour of India, Shakib has been a globetrotter in T20 cricket, having played in the Caribbean Premier League, Lanka Premier League and other tournaments around the world.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Aug 5, 2026 22:42 IST