Shakib Al Hasan’s ancestral home in Bangladesh was attacked with petrol bombs after he joined a media event featuring Sheikh Hasina.
Shakib Al Hasan’s home attack has drawn widespread attention after unidentified assailants targeted the former Bangladesh cricket captain’s ancestral residence following a politically sensitive media event involving Sheikh Hasina.
The incident occurred at Shakib’s family property in Magura, Bangladesh, shortly after he participated virtually in a media interaction featuring the former prime minister.
According to initial reports, attackers smashed windows and threw petrol bombs at the residence. A fire reportedly broke out on the upper floor of the building.
No injuries were reported because the house was unoccupied at the time of the attack. Authorities have launched an investigation, but no attacker or organisation has publicly claimed responsibility.
Attack follows Shakib’s appearance with Hasina
The timing of the assault has raised questions over whether Shakib’s participation in the event was the reason his property was targeted.
However, investigators have not officially established a motive.
The media event was organised through the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi. Hasina addressed journalists during what was described as her first major media appearance since she was removed from power in 2024.
Shakib participated virtually alongside the former prime minister.
During the event, Hasina reportedly said she intended to return to Bangladesh in December. She also called for restrictions imposed on her Awami League party to be lifted.
The appearance angered Bangladesh’s government, which strongly criticised the event and objected to Hasina being allowed to address journalists from India.
India said it had not organised or endorsed the media interaction.
The controversy has added further pressure to already strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka.
Shakib’s political links place him under scrutiny
Shakib is internationally recognised as one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers. However, his involvement in politics has made him a controversial figure since the collapse of Hasina’s government.
He was elected to Bangladesh’s parliament as an Awami League candidate in January 2024.
Later that year, Hasina’s administration was removed following a student-led uprising. Shakib has remained outside Bangladesh since the change in government.
His political association with the Awami League has continued to attract criticism, despite his achievements as a former national captain and leading all-rounder.
The attack on his residence highlights the increasingly dangerous intersection between sport, politics and public unrest in Bangladesh.
Video footage said to show the incident has also circulated online. However, the footage does not identify the attackers or prove that the assault was directly ordered in response to Shakib’s political appearance.
Shakib playing for Jaffna Kings in Sri Lanka
Shakib has been representing the Jaffna Kings in the 2026 Lanka Premier League in Sri Lanka.
He was signed by the franchise ahead of the tournament and has recorded 32 runs and nine wickets across seven innings in the competition.
Available reporting indicates that Shakib joined the Hasina media interaction virtually. It would therefore be inaccurate to state that he physically attended the event in New Delhi.
His exact location at the time of the attack has not been independently confirmed. However, he has been actively involved in the ongoing LPL campaign with Jaffna.
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident at his Magura residence. Until authorities release further findings, it remains unclear who carried out the attack and whether it was directly politically motivated.
