Mirpur turned into a battleground today as tensions escalated between groups of Shakib Al Hasan's supporters and detractors. Amidst demands from fans to let the cricket legend play his farewell Test match in Bangladesh, clashes broke out, with protesters facing violent opposition.

Photo: Prothom AloFor days, "Shakibians"—Shakib’s passionate fan base—have been organizing peaceful protests in front of the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, demanding that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) allow Shakib to play his final Test on home soil against South Africa. They carried placards supporting their hero and chanted slogans like "Mirpur for Shakib" and "Let Shakib play his last Test." The protests peaked when they called for the resignation of BCB president Faruque Ahmed if their demands weren't met.

However, this growing movement was met with fierce resistance. Today, tensions flared as a group of anti-Shakib protesters, armed with sticks, attacked the peaceful demonstrators. Several Shakib supporters were injured during the scuffle. Strangely, despite the presence of law enforcement officers at the scene, they did not intervene to stop the violence until much later. Some witnesses alleged that the police stood by as the altercation unfolded, further inflaming tensions.

Not only have Shakib's fans been protesting, but so have his opponents, who have organized their own counter-protests, chanting slogans like "Shakib the fraud" and demanding he be barred from playing in the Test match. These anti-Shakib factions have accused him of overstaying his welcome in the national team and have gone so far as to disrupt his supporters’ demonstrations.

Meanwhile, as chaos brewed outside the stadium, the South African cricket team was busy practicing inside. Some players reportedly heard the commotion and inquired about the situation, intrigued by the fanfare surrounding Shakib’s potential last Test match.

Shakib’s farewell game has become the center of a larger controversy, with the government even stepping in. Reports suggest that Shakib, who was en route to Bangladesh from the USA, was advised not to return by the Youth and Sports Advisor of the interim government, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan. This decision was likely influenced by the escalating protests in Mirpur, both for and against his return.

Despite his absence, Shakib’s supporters remain determined. Today, a group of around 40 fans marched towards the stadium once again, shouting slogans in favor of Shakib. But this time, their gathering was interrupted by a violent attack from a group of youths, who wielded sticks and scattered the crowd.

Although law enforcement later brought the situation under control, adding additional military presence around the stadium, it was a stark reminder of how divided the cricketing community has become over Shakib’s legacy.

The situation remains volatile as Shakib’s supporters continue to demand his right to a proper farewell on home soil. Whether or not Shakib will be able to play his final Test in Bangladesh remains uncertain, but the ongoing protests reflect the depth of passion surrounding the star cricketer's career.