A Bangladeshi court issued an arrest warrant on Sunday for cricket star Shakib Al Hasan for bounced cheques totalling more than $300,000, in the latest blow for the ousted lawmaker. “The court has previously summoned Shakib but he did not appear at the court”, said Mohammed Shahibur Rahman from the IFIC Bank, which filed the case. “Now, the court has issued the warrant,” he said. Shakib is a former lawmaker from the party of autocratic ex-leader Sheikh Hasina, who was overthrown by revolution and fled by helicopter to India in August 2024.

His links to Hasina made him a target of public anger and he was among dozens facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters during the uprising.

He has not been charged over those allegations.

Shakib was playing in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada when Hasina’s government collapsed and has not returned to Bangladesh since.

The left-arm allrounder has played 71 Tests, 247 one-day internationals and 129 Twenty20s for Bangladesh, taking a combined 712 wickets.

However, he was left out of the 15-man squad for the one-day international tournament in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai next month.

Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain the side, with Bangladesh placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and New Zealand.

A group of people attacked Shakib Al Hasan’s fans during a protest in Dhaka on Sunday amid tight security, an eye witness said. Shakib Al Hasan wanted to retire from Test cricket by playing the series against South Africa in Bangladesh. The BCB responded positively to his request and included him in the squad against South Africa. But he was advised by the Bangladesh government not to enter the country due to security reasons while in transit through Dubai on his way back to Bangladesh from the US.

Fans had been protesting outside the cricket stadium in Mirpur for several days to protest against Shakib’s ban from playing the farewell Test in Bangladesh. On Sunday, a group of people suddenly attacked them with sticks. At that time, the army and law enforcement personnel who were there brought the situation under control by blowing whistles.

Notably, Shakib officially joined the Awami League party in 2023. He filed the nomination from the Magura-1 parliamentary seat as an Awami League candidate to contest in the 2024 Bangladesh general election, which he won.

Two months ago, a student-led movement ousted Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, after weeks of protests and clashes that killed over 600 people. Hasina, 76, fled to India on August 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed.

Awami League leaders and supporters, including Sheikh Hasina, are facing dozens of cases of allegedly committing crimes during the July-August uprising. Sakib Al Hasan is one of the accused in the cases but he wished to say cricket goodbye after the test series against South Africa.

BCB announced the appointment of former West Indies batter Phil Simmons as the head coach of the national men’s cricket team after suspending Chandika Hathurusinghe, due to misconduct.

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag criticised Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s approach in the 197-run chase against India as they suffered a 50-run defeat in the T20 World Cup Super Eight clash on Saturday. After being asked to bat first, Hardik Pandya hammered an unbeaten 50 off 27 balls studded with four fours and three sixes while Virat Kohli scored 37 to guide India to 196/5 in 20 overs. In response, Bangladesh faltered in the middle overs after a decent start as they lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to get over the line. Shakib departed after scoring 11 off seven balls while trying to hit Kuldeep Yadav to a boundary.

Kuldeep bagged three wickets while Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh clinched two scalps each to restrict Bangladesh to 146/8 in 20 overs.

“When you have a set batter with you at the crease, at least support him. At least stay out in the middle and spend some time, try to get something out of the match. Instead, only 11 runs were scored off seven deliveries and then he walked back. So, I did not understand that,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

The veteran batter added that Shakib should announce his retirement and pave the way for the youngsters in the side.

“He has so much experience. So, is he not making the most of it or does he simply not care? Or was he thinking that the target is too big and I just scored a six, and now I will score a six off every ball. That’s why I said it the last time itself, he needs to make way for a younger player now,” Sehwag added.

With two losses in Super Eight matches, Bangladesh are all but out of the semifinal race. They will take on Afghanistan in their last match on June 25.