Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh in December, Shakib Al Hasan says he'll come if security assured

Sheikh Hasina Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh return security guarantee death sentence

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced she will return to Bangladesh in December, despite a death sentence in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 student‑led protests that killed about 1,400 people. She said her aim is to restore democracy and development, acknowledging the risk of arrest or execution.

Bangladeshi cricket star Shakib Al Hasan, a former captain and ex‑Awami League lawmaker, said he is ready to return from exile, face the murder trial pending against him, and play a farewell series if the government guarantees his safety. He is currently in Sri Lanka playing franchise cricket and has repeatedly expressed a desire to represent Bangladesh at the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque responded to Shakib’s appearance alongside Hasina at a virtual press conference in New Delhi, stating that the government can no longer be flexible and that Shakib has no prospect of returning to the national team. The episode has added tension to Bangladesh‑India relations, with Dhaka condemning the Delhi event as an affront to its sovereignty.

Entities: Aminul Haque · Awami League · Bangladesh · Bangladesh Nationalist Party · India · Shakib Al Hasan · Sheikh Hasina · Tarique Rahman

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Shakib Al Hasan wants to play a farewell series and represent Bangladesh at the 2027 ODI World Cup. (multiple articles)
[● 2 SOURCES] Sheikh Hasina announced she will return to Bangladesh in December despite a death sentence. (multiple articles)
[● 4 SOURCES] Shakib Al Hasan said he is ready to return to Bangladesh if the government guarantees his security. (multiple Reuters articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] Shakib Al Hasan faces murder charges related to the 2024 protests. (multiple articles)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Bangladesh government expressed outrage over Hasina’s Delhi press conference, calling it an affront to sovereignty. (article on Bangladesh-India relations)
[○ 1 SOURCE] India said it had no role in or endorsement of Hasina’s Delhi press conference. (article on Bangladesh-India relations)
[● 2 SOURCES] Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to the 2024 protests. (Bangladeshi tribunal convicted her in November 2025.)
[● 3 SOURCES] Bangladesh Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque said Shakib has no chance to return after his appearance with Hasina. (Statement by Aminul Haque reported in multiple articles.)
[● 2 SOURCES] Hasina’s return will test Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government stance toward former ruling‑party allies. (Analysts note the political significance of her planned comeback.)
[● 2 SOURCES] Shakib Al Hasan faces murder charges related to the 2024 protest crackdown. (Bangladeshi authorities have filed a murder case against him.)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Bangladesh‑India relations have become strained after Hasina’s press conference in New Delhi. (Bangladesh government expressed outrage over the event.)
[● 2 SOURCES] Sheikh Hasina announced she will return to Bangladesh in December. (Hasina said she will return in December during a virtual press conference.)