Arrest warrant against Bangladesh's cricket legend

A Dhaka court, on Sunday, issued an arrest warrant against Bangladesh all-rounder and former Awami League MP Shakib Al Hasan over two bounced bank cheques.

A case was filed against the former Bangladesh skipper by International Finance Investment and Commerce (IFIC) Bank.

“Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ziadur Rahman issued the arrest warrant asking police submit a report on the execution of the order on March 24,” a court official told reporters.

He said the warrant was issued as Hasan, also the chairman of an agriculture farm, failed to appear in the court as ordered earlier over a case related to bounced cheques.

Another identical warrant was issued against managing director of the farm Gazi Shahagir Hossain who also did not respond to the summon.

The IFIC Bank in October 2024 issued a legal notice over the bounced cheques and subsequently filed the case on December 24 against the cricketer-turned-businessman and three other officials of his company.

Two of the farm officials duly surrendered before the court on Sunday and pleaded for bail, which the court granted after a hearing.

Shakib established a crab farm named Shakib Al Hasan Agro Farm in southwestern Satkhira in 2016. The company has reportedly been inactive since 2021.

Shakib hasn't returned to Bangladesh fearing threat to his life after deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country due to civil unrest last year.

Last year, Shakib was named as an accused in a murder case back home during the political unrest in July-August, when hundreds of people were killed and also led to the ouster of PM Hasina.

Shakib, Bangladesh's greatest ever cricketer, played his last Test match against India in Kanpur late last year. The Champions Trophy is expected to be his last appearance in Bangladesh colours.

Currently he is banned from bowling in all forms of cricket due to suspect action.

The cricketer, who now lives in the United States, was elected as an MP on Awami League ticket during the January 7, 2024 elections.