‘Still believe I was right’: Shakib defends his political stance

Shakib Al Hasan, one of Bangladesh's cricketing icons, has expressed unwavering conviction in his political choices, despite the significant impact they've had on his career. Once the country's cricketing face, Shakib finds himself estranged from the sport that once defined him—not because of injury or poor form, but due to the political fallout of his actions. His association with the ousted Awami League and his tenure as an MP from Magura have cast a long shadow over his legacy.

"I don't see anything wrong in what I did… If it was a mistake for me to join politics, then anyone who joins politics in the future would also be making a mistake," Shakib declared in a candid interview with Daily Sun's Zaigum Azam. The interview, titled "My greatest wish is to play for my country and retire from home," was published on Wednesday.

He was quick to defend his decision, emphasising the right of any citizen to join politics. "Joining politics is a right for any citizen… I think I was right when I joined, and I still believe I was right because my intention was to work for the people of Magura," said the former Bangladesh captain, who had made the leap into politics with the belief that he could serve his constituency.

Shakib had been expected to play his farewell Test in Mirpur against South Africa last October, but concerns over his safety kept him from taking the field. Though his bowling action has been cleared by authorities, whether he will be able to return to competitive cricket in Bangladesh remains uncertain. Still, his attitude remains unshaken, and his words continue to resonate with the clarity that has always defined his approach.

"From my perspective, as far as entering politics is concerned, I always felt that if I wanted to make significant changes, I needed to be inside the system… how can you change the system unless you're part of it?" Shakib reasoned, justifying his decision to enter the political arena.

He further explained that his plan was to play in the Champions Trophy before transitioning into politics, once he had a better understanding of the system and could better serve the people. "My plan was to play in the Champions Trophy, and after that, I would gradually transition into politics once I understood it better and could work for the people. It wasn't about jumping into politics headfirst—it was about getting started within the system."

While some have criticised his detour into politics, Shakib remains firm. "If I made a mistake, then the people coming into power now will not be there forever. That's just the law of nature—whether it's 10 years or 20 years, they will also not be in the same place forever. If another party comes to power, they too will not be there forever, and so on. The cycle continues, and you can't predict when it will end."

He took the time to address his critics directly: "Most of the people saying that are not voters from my area," he explained. "The voters from Magura, however, think differently, and that's what matters."

Shakib's cricketing credentials speak for themselves. Over the course of nearly two decades, the 38-year-old has accumulated over 14,000 international runs and claimed more than 650 wickets. He is the first cricketer to achieve the dual milestone of 6,000 runs and 300 wickets in ODIs. His all-round performance in the 2019 World Cup, where he scored 606 runs and took 11 wickets, remains one of the best performances in the history of the tournament.

Yet, despite his stellar career, Shakib is resolute in his belief that his intentions, both on and off the field, were always pure. "My intentions were honest, and I don't see why there should be any tension when the intentions are pure," he said, emphasising that his sincerity has never been in question, whether in cricket or in politics.

Despite the many challenges he has faced in his political career, Shakib does not harbour any bitterness. "If something I did for 18 to 20 years is now being stopped, doesn't that seem outrageous?" he asked, pointing out the injustice of the situation. "I don't have any complaints against anyone, and I don't hold grudges," he added, taking the high road. "Whether you judge me based on my last 18 years or the last six months is up to you."

As Bangladesh enters a new political chapter, Shakib remains on the periphery, watching events unfold. "I'm seeing new faces of people now. Perhaps I was living in an illusion before," he admitted, reflecting on the lessons he has learned through this experience.

Though the path forward remains unclear, Shakib still holds onto the hope of a return to cricket. "If there's an opportunity, I would love to plan whether I'll play one series, two series, or even for another year. My greatest wish is to play for my country, and I am ready to give my all for that purpose," he said, underscoring his determination to continue serving his country, whether on the field or in a political capacity.