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The Architect Of His Own Fall: How 'King' Shakib Al Hasan Lost His Bangladesh Crown

The rise and fall of Shakib Al Hasan [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]The rise and fall of Shakib Al Hasan [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

In cricket or in life, it’s not always how you start the journey but how you finish it. For years, Shakib Al Hasan was the heartbeat of Bangladeshi cricket – a player who could spin webs with the ball, anchor innings with the bat, and carry the dreams of a cricket-obsessed nation on his broad shoulders.

However, as the twilight of his career approaches, it seems that his fall from grace was as quick as his rise to fame. There was a time when Shakib was the poster boy of Bangladeshi cricket, and rightly so. He was a phenomenon. The first Bangladeshi to top the ICC all-rounder rankings, he gave his country moments to cherish - from match-winning performances in Tests to heart-stopping heroics in World Cups.

Shakib Al Hasan was Bangladesh cricket's jack-of-all-trades, a player who could do no wrong. But as its said "Even the best of sailors cannot control the winds forever." Slowly, cracks began to appear in his once invincible aura.

Buckling Under Too Many Hats

Shakib wasn't just content with being a cricketer, he wanted to be everything. A politician. A businessman. A social influencer. While there’s nothing wrong with ambition, wearing too many hats often means one starts slipping off. In Shakib’s case, his priorities seemed to scatter. The man who once let his cricket do the talking started making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Whether it was political blunders or moments of public silence during crises, Shakib found himself caught in a hurricane of his own making. The phrase "silence speaks louder than words" was one his critics threw at him when he refrained from addressing the political unrest back home.

How Did Shakib Turn Into A Villain?

In a country where cricket is more than just a sport, Shakib’s actions off the field carried as much weight as his runs and wickets on it. His Facebook apology during the student protests felt like closing the stable door after the horse had bolted. Fans who had once worshipped him felt let down, while detractors accused him of being tone-deaf and out of touch with the nation's heartbeat.

And then came the Kanpur Test – a match that might very well be his swan song. Announcing his retirement from Tests and T20Is, Shakib’s dream of ending his career with a Test in Dhaka now seems like a pipe dream. Instead, his career appears to be grinding to an unceremonious halt, with even ODIs slipping out of reach.

The Final Nail in the Coffin

As the protests heated up, Shakib found himself in hot water. Students were out on the streets, demanding he be dropped from the Test squad. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), feeling the heat, handed the spot to Hasan Murad. For a stalwart like Shakib as the king of Bangladesh cricket was being shown the door by his people.

Like they say, "Live by the sword, die by the sword." Shakib’s decision to dive into politics and business might’ve seemed like a power move, but it ended up backfiring big time. Instead of growing his fanbase, he ended up pushing away the very people who once worshipped him.

A Legacy in Tatters?

It’s said that you can't please everyone all the time, and perhaps no one knows this better than Shakib. Shakib Al Hasan will definitely be remembered as one of the best all-rounders to ever play the game. His cricketing feats? Legendary.

But let’s be real – legacies aren’t just about stats and trophies. They’re about the moments that make you cheer, the memories that stick, and the people whose hearts you win.

For Shakib, it’s a bit of a love-hate story now. His brilliance on the field? Unquestionable. But the missteps off it? Hard to ignore. Whether time will mend the cracks and bring him back to the pedestal he once ruled is anyone’s guess. However, one thing is for sure: Shakib’s story provest even the biggest stars can slip, and when they do, the noise is deafening.

Will Shakib Win Fans Over Again?

Shakib’s cricketing career might be winding down but his story is far from over. Once normalcy is restored in the country and the anger fades, maybe, just maybe, Bangladesh will look back and cherish the countless moments of sheer happiness he brought to their cricketing hearts.

But for now, it’s all on Shakib. Whether he decides to pick himself up, fight back, and rebuild, or quietly fade into the shadows, will define how this incredible story ends.