Dhaka Court Restricts Shakib Al Hasan’s Travel Amid Corruption Probe

DHAKA: A Dhaka court has barred prominent Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, a former member of parliament, from traveling abroad. This action, along with similar restrictions on 15 others, comes as authorities investigate substantial corruption allegations, according to reports from Bangladeshi media on Monday.

The travel prohibition was enacted by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain, following requests submitted by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The ACC claims that Shakib and his associates illegally accumulated wealth and engaged in dubious stock market activities, involving approximately Tk 8.97 crore and Tk 4.48 crore, thereby contravening regulations pertaining to microcredit and the stock market.

Assistant Director Sajjad Hossain and Deputy Director Md Rokonuzzaman of the ACC submitted the petitions, asserting that preventing the accused from leaving the country is crucial during the ongoing inquiry.

The 38-year-old cricketer’s last professional appearance was in May for the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). His most recent international match for Bangladesh was a Test series against India in October 2024.

Earlier in the year, Shakib was also subject to an arrest warrant issued by a Dhaka court related to a cheque fraud case.

The travel restriction will remain in effect indefinitely as the ACC proceeds with its investigation.

Once celebrated as Bangladesh’s premier all-rounder, Shakib also pursued a career in politics, serving as a legislator for the Awami League, previously headed by Sheikh Hasina. Hasina’s government was removed from power last year due to an uprising led by students.

Shakib’s cricketing future is now uncertain given these legal challenges. To date, he has participated in 71 Tests, 247 ODIs, and 129 T20Is for Bangladesh, securing over 700 wickets and scoring more than 13,000 international runs.