DHAKA: Bangladesh cricket star and former lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan has said he is prepared to return home from exile, face ongoing court proceedings and play a farewell series if the government guarantees his safety. Shakib, 39, has been living in the United States since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government following a deadly student-led uprising in August 2024. The former Bangladesh captain remains politically linked to Hasina’s Awami League, having previously served as a lawmaker from the party. He is currently facing criminal cases in Bangladesh, including one related to the alleged killing of a protester and another involving anti-corruption authorities. Speaking to Reuters from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket, Shakib said he wanted to return and was willing to appear before the courts. He said he would go back if the government formally assured him that adequate security would be provided. Shakib maintained that he had not committed any wrongdoing and described the murder case against him as baseless. He said the case was filed on a day in August 2024 when he was playing a match in Toronto. The cricketer also said he had previously attempted to return to Bangladesh. In late 2024, he boarded a flight after receiving assurances that he would be protected, but was reportedly instructed to turn back while the journey was underway. He eventually landed in Dubai before returning to the United States. Shakib said another planned return was blocked after he posted a birthday message for Hasina. He questioned why such a social media post should prevent him from entering his own country. The former captain also rejected suggestions that he should distance himself from Hasina or the Awami League to facilitate his return. Shakib recently appeared virtually at a press conference in Delhi alongside Hasina. Following the event, his vacant home in Bangladesh was reportedly attacked. He defended his participation, saying his message was focused on peace and Bangladesh’s progress. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said Shakib must face the legal process like any other accused person and surrender before Bangladeshi courts. Meanwhile, Shakib said he still hopes to represent Bangladesh in a farewell series and possibly play at the 2027 ODI World Cup. He acknowledged that retirement was approaching but said he remained physically fit and continued to enjoy playing cricket. The cricketer also revealed that his bank accounts had been frozen for around 18 months during investigations. He said he had not seen his parents in Bangladesh for nearly two years.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open after failing to recover fully from a right knee injury, raising fresh questions over the Italian star’s fitness ahead of the US Open. Sinner confirmed his decision on Sunday after consulting his doctors and medical team. The 24-year-old said his knee had continued to bother him despite treatment and that he was not yet ready to return to competitive action. “After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw,” Sinner said in a statement published by the ATP. The decision comes just days after Sinner also pulled out of the Masters 1000 event in Montreal. He has now missed both major North American hard-court tournaments that traditionally serve as important preparations for the US Open. Sinner’s withdrawal is particularly significant given his recent form. The Italian arrived at the North American swing on a six-tournament winning streak at Masters 1000 level and has not played since successfully defending his Wimbledon title last month. The Cincinnati setback also means Sinner will enter the final Grand Slam of the season without a competitive match on the North American hard courts. The US Open main draw begins in New York on August 30, leaving him with limited time to regain full fitness. Adding to the uncertainty, world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is also expected to miss Cincinnati while dealing with a wrist injury. The two young stars have become the central figures of men’s tennis and contested last year’s US Open final, with Alcaraz winning in four sets. Sinner’s priority now is clear: recovery rather than rushing back. His decision reflects the importance of arriving in New York healthy, particularly with another Grand Slam title within reach. For Cincinnati, however, the absence of both Sinner and Alcaraz is a major blow. For tennis fans, the bigger question is whether the sport’s two leading stars will be fully fit when the US Open begins.