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Shakib Al Hasan: The Star of Corruption and Controversy

Published : Tuesday, 29 October, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 333
Ahasan Uddin Bhuiyan
Shakib Al Hasan is regarded as one of the iconic all-rounders in cricket history, who boasts an illustrious career with 447 international matches, 14,730 runs and 712 wickets. He consolidated his status as Bangladesh's finest cricketer and a prominent figure in the global cricket arena. Yet, his journey has been marred by controversies including on-field misbehaviour, indiscipline, violation of rules, undisclosed dealings with gamblers and the promotion of online betting. Below is an overview of his controversies, immoral, irregular, high handed behavior in the cricket arena. All he did with the patronage of the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina. He used her name and tried to give a damn to all criticism and media reports against him.

Fiery Interactions with FansShakib's career has been marked by several heated encounters with fans. In an ODI against India in 2010, he confronted a spectator in frustration. During the 2011 World Cup, after a disappointing team performance, he responded to boos by showing an obscene gesture. Other incidents include grabbing a fan's collar in 2013 and leaving the dressing room in 2014 to defend his wife from harassment, prompting the BCB to intervene. Recently, during Eid celebrations in New York, he walked out of an event after refusing photos with fans.

On-Field Misconduct
In 2014, Shakib faced a three-match ban for an obscene gesture during a match against Sri Lanka. He was later suspended and fined during the 2015 BPL for arguing with an umpire, with further incidents in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, his anger over an umpire's decision led to a three-match suspension and a five lakh taka fine after he kicked the stumps during a Premier League match.

Misconduct with Journalists
After a match against South Africa this year, Shakib confronted a journalist he suspected of filming his family, taking the journalist's phone and handing it to security, although the phone was later returned.

Threats to Retire and Team Discipline Issues
In 2014, Shakib was banned for six months after leaving to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) without NOC from the BCB. Though initially facing a lengthy suspension, his appeal reduced it to four months. Leading up to the 2019 ODI World Cup, he skipped an official photo session and in 2021 he faced a ban for violating biosecurity protocols during the Dhaka Premier League. Most recently, he stirred controversy by leaving the Bangladesh team during the World Cup to train with his personal coach raising doubts about his confidence in the national coaching staff.

Involvement in Betting Scandals
In 2019, Shakib was handed a two-year ban from all forms of cricket, with one year suspension for failing to report three offers of match-fixing. The ICC revealed this sanction on October 29 detailing that Shakib received the offers during a tri-series in January 2018 and an IPL match in April. His failure to inform the ICC's anti-corruption unit resulted in severe consequences, which he later admitted during the investigation.

Shakib also faced backlash for promoting betting sites without BCB approval. After signing contracts with BABU88 and Betwinner News in 2023, he was forced to cancel them due to public criticism. Investigations uncovered money laundering linked to these platforms leading the Anti-Corruption Commission to drop him as a brand ambassador. 

Additionally, reports indicated that his sister Jannatul Hasan invested in the online betting app '11wicket.com.' Indian media uncovered a significant financial scam connected to the Mahadev BettingApp in September 2023.

Preference for Franchise Leagues Over National Representation
In 2021, Shakib faced criticism for prioritizing the IPL over a tour to Sri Lanka. After requesting a six-month break before a series against South Africa in 2017, which was denied, he has since participated in only 30% of the national team's Test matches, missing 12 series while playing in various global franchise leagues. His net worth from sports and investments is estimated to exceed $3.5 million. 

Controversial Business Ventures
Starting in 2010, Shakib Al Hasan ventured into various businesses launching his first restaurant Shakib's Dine in 2015. His investments span sectors such as the stock market, power generation, cosmetics and aquaculture both locally and internationally. However, he faced backlash for failing to pay approximately Tk 1 crore in dues related to his crab farming venture in Satkhira and was accused of encroaching on farmers' land. Protests from around 200 workers over unpaid wages in April 2022 highlighted ongoing issues in his business practices.

Shakib has also faced allegations of gold smuggling with partner Rashek Rahman trading through Reliable Commodities Exchange and Burak Commodities Exchange without proper authorization and violating the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Besides, The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the financial intelligence department of the central bank, has sought bank account information of Shakib Al Hasan and his wife Umm Ahmed Shishir. 

Involvement in Share Market Scams
In 2017, Shakib became the goodwill ambassador for Bangladesh's BSEC. His investments drew controversy due to associations with companies accused of manipulation including Abul Khair Hiru. Despite being linked to suspicious stock transactions, he faced no penalties due to lack of evidence.

Recently, new BSEC leadership removed him as ambassador and fined him Tk 50 lakh for manipulating shares of Paramount Insurance. He was also implicated in manipulation cases involving Asia Insurance, One Bank, and Fortune Shoes, resulting in significant penalties for multiple parties.

Father's Name Controversies
Shakib found himself embroiled in controversy when the name of his father was officially altered to Kazi Abdul Latif in documents related to Monarch Holdings Limited amidst allegations of stock market manipulation. Latif is the father of Kazi Sadia Hasan, the managing director, who is married to Shakib's business associate Abul Khair Hiru.

Showroom Ventures
He earned the nickname "Showroom Al Hasan" due to his preference for inaugurating showrooms over focusing on cricket. Aiming for expansion, Shakib sought to launch new showrooms but faced backlash for inaugurating a supershop in Gulshan during the quarantine period in 2021. He received criticism for opening showrooms during tournament, returning home under the guise of needing rest and engaging in commercial endeavors. In 2023, he attended the opening of Arav Khan's gold shop in Dubai, despite Arav being implicated in a police officer's murder case.

Personal Scandal
A video and numerous images of Shakib emerged on social media depicting him spending time with Nafisa Kamal, the daughter of former Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and owner of the BPL team Comilla Victorians recently.

Political Aspirations
Leading up to the January 7 election, Shakib expressed his desire to become co-chairman of the King's Party, also known as the Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM). To explore this opportunity, he visited BNP Vice Chairman Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed's residence. However, after the BNP leader opted not to join the BNM, Shakib was unable to secure the co-chair position. To materialize his political ambition, he ultimately aligned with the Awami League and was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Magura-1 constituency in 2024 election, boycotted by major political parties, advocating for the rights of the electorate.

Post-Revolution Contradictions
As a Bangladeshi lawmaker, Shakib is married to Bangladeshi-American Umme Ahmed Shishir and obtained a U.S. green card in 2019. In 2023, he purchased a luxurious home in Jericho, Long Island for approximately 10 crore taka, where his wife and three children reside. While protests erupted in Dhaka amid unrest and violence in July-August this year that claimed heavy toll of lives and resulted the downfall of Sheikh Hasina regime, Shakib's wife posted a cheerful photograph of him on Instagram with a caption, "A well spent day in Toronto". 

During a Global T20 match, a fan questioned Shakib about his dedication to the country and his role during the anti-discrimination movement. Instead of responding politely, he countered the fan's question by asking, "What have you done for the country?" 

Other Issues
In 2015, Shakib's business was implicated in allegations of human trafficking. During the 2023 BPL, he captained Fortune Barisal, which was sponsored by his company Monak Mart. He sparked controversy at the Kali Puja inauguration in Kolkata and ultimately issued an apology. Additionally, he made surprising comments about his longtime teammate Tamim Iqbal in an interview ahead of the last ODI World Cup.

Once celebrated as "Bangladesher Jaan, Bangladesher Praan," meaning "Shakib Al Hasan is the life and soul of Bangladesh," he faced immense backlash from fans when he recently revealed his desire to retire from Test cricket on home soil. His return to the country has also been complicated by his association with corruption and persistent controversies.



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