Former Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan's ancestral home in Magura town was attacked with petrol bombs on Wednesday, causing a fire on the upper floor, police reported. The incident occurred after Shakib joined a virtual event organized by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi, where ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pledged to return to Bangladesh. The property was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported.

The attack on Shakib's residence in Magura, approximately 170km (105 miles) southwest of the capital Dhaka, follows his participation in the media interaction featuring Hasina. Shakib, a former Awami League lawmaker, was elected to parliament in January 2024. He has been outside Bangladesh since the student-led uprising that led to the ouster of Hasina's government.

During the virtual address, Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in absentia in Bangladesh, stated her intention to return to her people, acknowledging the risks involved. This event marked her first public media interaction since her removal from power. Hasina also called for the lifting of the ban on the Awami League, the party she led for over four decades.

The Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Hasina's media appearance, describing it as an "affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh" and warning of potential harm to bilateral relations with India, where Hasina has been residing since August 2024. Bangladesh has requested her extradition.

Shakib Al Hasan himself is facing multiple investigations in Bangladesh, including allegations related to murder, embezzlement, fraud, and money laundering. He has remained abroad since the political turmoil that saw Hasina's government overthrown.

Hasina, 78, was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 by Bangladesh's war crimes tribunal for her role in the crackdown on the 2024 student-led uprising. She has dismissed these charges as politically motivated.

The attack on the cricketer's home raises questions about the potential repercussions for public figures associated with political factions in Bangladesh, especially following significant political events and statements by exiled leaders.

Authorities are investigating the incident, and the Reuters news agency was unable to reach Shakib Al Hasan for comment regarding the attack on his property.