Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan traded indirect barbs on Facebook late on 28 September, in a social media exchange that quickly drew widespread attention.
Although neither mentioned the other by name, it was clear who each was referring to. Asif’s late-night post read:
“You all cursed me a thousand times for not rehabilitating one person. But I was right. End of the discussion.”
The adviser’s remark came less than an hour after Shakib had posted a photograph of himself with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in hiding since the mass uprising that toppled her government in august last year. In the caption, Shakib wrote: “Happy birthday, Apa.”
During the 5 august 2024 uprising, which brought down Sheikh Hasina’s government, Shakib was in Canada. Since then, the former Awami League MP has been unable to return to Bangladesh. He faces a series of legal troubles, including murder charges, allegations of stock market manipulation, and cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Although he went on to play Test series in Pakistan and India after the uprising, Shakib’s international career came to an abrupt halt as he was unable to rejoin the Bangladesh team at home. In October 2024, he had planned to return to play his farewell Test against South Africa, but uproar followed when he was reportedly denied government clearance to enter Dhaka. Forced to turn back from Dubai, he returned instead to the United States. Many believed Asif Mahmud had played a decisive role in blocking his return.
Asif’s latest post seemed to confirm those suspicions. Later that night, at around 11:20 pm Bangladesh time, Shakib responded with his own status:
“Well, finally someone admitted that because of him I could no longer wear Bangladesh’s jersey, and could no longer play for Bangladesh!”
He concluded with a pointed farewell:
“Perhaps one day I will return to my motherland. I love Bangladesh.”
Shakib’s birthday post for Sheikh Hasina also sparked heavy criticism online. Many users labelled him an “Awami accomplice” and a “dalal (lackey),” with some questioning why he would express sympathy for what they described as a “genocidal” leader.
