A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Bangladeshi cricket icon Shakib Al Hasan, marking the latest development in the all-rounder’s ongoing legal troubles. The magistrate’s ruling on Monday comes six months after an arrest warrant was issued for the 37-year-old sports star in January.
The case stems from fraud allegations involving bounced checks worth over $300,000, with prosecutors accusing Shakib of financial misconduct. This legal action compounds existing challenges for the former national cricket captain, who has been living abroad since the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government last year.
Shakib’s political affiliations have placed him at the centre of Bangladesh’s turbulent political landscape. As a former parliament member from Hasina’s Awami League party, his association with the ousted leader has made him a target of public scrutiny. The autocratic former prime minister fled to India following a student-led uprising that toppled her administration.
An a'rrest w'arrant was issued for Shakib earlier
Details: https://t.co/Wj6Pc7lqnL#ShakibAlHasan #ChequeFraud #NewsUpdate #DhakaTribune #BangladeshCricket pic.twitter.com/j7RbtugYgH
— Dhaka Tribune (@DhakaTribune) March 24, 2025While not currently facing charges related to the violent crackdown on protesters during the political unrest, Shakib remains among dozens of figures under investigation for alleged involvement in the deadly police response. His continued absence from Bangladesh – having been competing in Canada’s Global T20 league when the government fell – has drawn criticism from legal authorities and the public.
The left-handed all-rounder’s cricketing credentials remain undisputed, with a decorated international career spanning:
- 71 Test matches
- 247 One-Day Internationals
- 129 Twenty20 appearances
- 712 total wickets across formats
Legal experts suggest the asset seizure represents an escalation in efforts to compel Shakib’s return to face the fraud charges. The court’s action freezes his domestic holdings while the case proceeds, though it remains unclear what specific properties are affected.
Observers note the situation reflects Bangladesh’s ongoing political reckoning following Hasina’s ouster, with former government allies facing increased scrutiny. Shakib’s case has become particularly prominent given his celebrity status as one of the country’s most successful athletes.
The cricket star has not made any public statement regarding the court’s latest decision. His continued silence and extended stay abroad have fueled speculation about his potential return and future in Bangladeshi cricket, where he remains one of the sport’s most accomplished all-rounders despite the political controversy.
