For most of his career, Shakib Al Hasan has made headlines for what he does on the pitch. But this time, it’s different.
The Bangladesh cricket star is now caught in a legal tangle far removed from sports. On Monday (16th June), a Dhaka court officially barred Shakib and his mother, Shirin Akhter, from leaving the country, as anti-corruption officials dig deeper into a widening financial scandal.
15 Names, One Scandal, and a Storm Brewing
The order didn’t come out of nowhere. According to court documents, Shakib is one of 15 people now under travel restrictions, all tied to a case involving suspected embezzlement, shady investments, and major violations of Bangladesh’s stock market laws.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which filed the petition, claims the group siphoned off massive sums through schemes that bypassed government rules. And by “massive,” they mean hundreds of crores. The allegations describe irregularities in investments, insider trading, and illegal acquisition of assets — serious stuff, if it all holds up.
Sajjad Hossain, the ACC official leading the effort, argued in court that some suspects were “trying to flee.” That made the travel ban necessary, at least for now.
Shakib Isn’t in the Country Anyway
Here’s the twist: Shakib isn’t even in Bangladesh right now. He reportedly left before August 5 and hasn’t returned since. He’s been spotted playing in the Pakistan Super League, last seen wearing Lahore Qalandars colors. No appearances for the national team. No statements. Just silence.
That makes enforcement a bit tricky. Still, the court ruling sets the tone — this isn’t just another warning letter.
Not His First Time in the Spotlight for the Wrong Reason
This isn’t entirely new territory for Shakib. Back in May, he was fined over 22 million taka by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission. The charge? Alleged involvement in stock manipulation, again tied to questionable trading practices.
Shakib responded with a letter. He said the errors were unintentional, the result of “carelessness.” Not fraud. Not malice. Just negligence, or maybe a lack of awareness. He promised to be more careful moving forward. But now, that explanation might not be enough.
Government Signals a Shift in Tone
Some might wonder whether this is just legal noise — but the timing feels different. The interim government has said it won’t pursue politically motivated cases, and that helped Shakib avoid problems earlier, when a police complaint in Mohammadpur didn’t go anywhere.
But this time? This case isn’t going away easily. The current administration appears committed to cracking down on financial wrongdoing, especially involving the stock market.
And when someone like Shakib is named, it draws more attention. Not just because of his fame, but because it signals that even big names aren’t off-limits.
So What Happens Now?
That’s the question. There hasn’t been an arrest warrant yet, and no official charges have come forward. The investigation is still unfolding. Still, the travel ban sends a strong message: the authorities are treating this seriously.
And with Shakib already abroad, the ban’s practical effect might not be immediate. Still, it could complicate future plans. It might even raise questions about national team selection, assuming he’s ever back in contention.
For fans, it’s a hard shift. From top scores and match-winning innings to courtrooms and financial investigations.
But this is where things stand. The game has paused. The headlines are no longer about cricket. And Shakib’s next move, both on and off the field, is anyone’s guess.
