"I respect your feelings and sincerely apologize" - Shakib Al Hasan on maintaining silence during anti-government protests in Bangladesh

Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has apologized for staying silent during the student-led protests that left the country in turmoil for a few weeks earlier this year. The former captain recently took to his official Facebook account to say he too would have been upset if he were in the place of those who criticized him.

Shakib, one of the country's most decorated cricketers, has opened up on the upheaval in Bangladesh for the first time since the fall of the Awami League-led government in which he was a member of the Parliament. The 37-year-old was playing in the Global T20 Canada at the time of the protests. During one of the matches, he had a standoff with a fan who questioned Shakib's silence on the matter.

On his Facebook page, the 71-Test veteran paid condolence to those who sacrificed their lives for the cause. He wrote:

"Firstly, I would like to pay my respects to all the students who sacrificed their lives, led the anti-discrimination movement, and were martyred or injured during the people's uprising. I extend my deepest respect and condolences to them and their families. While no sacrifice can compensate for the loss of a loved one, nothing can fill the void of losing a child or a brother, to those of you who were hurt by my silence during this critical period, I respect your feelings and sincerely apologize. If I were in your place, I too might have been upset."

The southpaw was also named in a murder case along with 146 other Awami League leaders during the opening Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in August.

"At the moment of farewell, I want to shake hands with those whose applause compelled me to play better" - Shakib Al Hasan

With Shakib set to sign off from Test cricket during the home series against South Africa, the ex-skipper has requested fans to be present for the same in the stadium. He added in the same social media post:

"You all know that I will soon be playing my last match… I want to say goodbye with all of you around. At the moment of farewell, I want to shake hands with those whose applause compelled me to play better. I want to meet the eyes of those who cheered in joy when I played well and whose eyes welled up with tears when I did not. I believe that at this farewell moment, you will all be with me. Together, we will close the story that, in truth, stars not me, but all of you."

The two-Test series begins on October 21.