On Monday, as Shakib Al Hasan – arguably the greatest cricketer ever produced in Bangladesh – celebrated his 38th birthday, another controversy got added to his complicated legacy when a Dhaka court ordered to confiscate his properties in a cheque dishonour case.

According to the case statement, Agro Farm, owned by Shakib, had issued two cheques of Tk 41.5 lakh to repay loans from the Banani branch of IFIC Bank but both were dishonoured due to insufficient funds.

A court order like this would have been damning for the reputation of most cricketers, but for Shakib, whose career as a cricketer-turned businessman who also briefly dabbled in politics for the ousted Awami League regime, this hardly causes a ripple.

Still, Shakib — whose career has been nothing short of a dramatic epic — is right now a man standing at a crossroads, facing a future as turbulent as his glorious past.

Born in Magura, a quiet town tucked in the heart of southwestern Bangladesh, Shakib's cricketing roots trace back to narrow alleyways and dusty grounds. Like many of his generation, he dreamt big — but unlike most, he turned those dreams into reality. From his Bangladesh debut in 2006, it was evident that Shakib wasn't just another prospect — he was a revolution.

Over nearly two decades, he amassed over 14,000 international runs and claimed more than 650 wickets, becoming the first cricketer to achieve 6,000 runs and 300 wickets in ODIs.

His flair with the bat, cunning with the ball, and shrewd leadership have carved him a place among cricket's greats. His 2019 World Cup campaign — 606 runs and 11 wickets — still stands as one of the finest all-round performances in the tournament's history.

More importantly, Shakib was the face of a generation that believed Bangladesh could win against any team.

Yet, as he turns 38, the twilight of his career has brought more questions than answers.

Shakib's recent years have been marred by setbacks — both on and off the field. A recurring eye condition has kept him sidelined, and a string of controversies, including ICC ban, has further clouded his career.

Recently, a bowling ban imposed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in December 2024, following his short stint with Surrey, put a halt to his all-rounder credentials. Though he recently cleared his action and had the ban lifted, doubts still swirl around his return to top-flight cricket.

Adding to the uncertainty are political affiliations, which prevented him from playing his farewell Test in Mirpur last year against South Africa. He was subsequently overlooked for tours to Afghanistan and the West Indies, and excluded from the 2025 Champions Trophy squad — the tournament he had hoped would mark his ODI farewell.

In a rare moment of vulnerability last year, Shakib hinted at retirement — saying he had likely played his last T20I in the 2024 World Cup, and that the Champions Trophy would be his ODI swansong. Yet, with both plans derailed, his future remains frustratingly undefined.

BCB officials have been noncommittal, suggesting they cannot do anything about his return. Meanwhile, Shakib withdrew from the Dhaka Premier League after initially signing for Legends of Rupganj. Whether due to political issues or personal decisions, the silence is deafening.

Still, if there's one truth about Shakib, it's that he has always defied the odds. His career has never followed a script, and comebacks have been his specialty. Whether he returns as a player, a mentor, or chooses to walk away quietly, his impact on Bangladesh cricket is indelible.