Shakib Al Hasan Rediscovers His Joy for the Game in Atlanta, Dreams of a Farewell on Home Soil

Bangladesh’s star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan seems to have rediscovered the child within him. While playing for Atlanta Fire in the Minor League Cricket (USA), he appeared in a completely different light—smiling, relaxed, and carefree.

After the team’s title win, Atlanta Fire’s head coach and former Rajasthan Royals mentor Monty Desai jokingly told him, “It seems your inner child has come out again.”

Usually known for his sharp focus and serious demeanor on the field, Shakib was seen in a contrasting mood this time. Teammates said that in the United States, he looked as though he had gone back to his youthful days—playing purely for the love of the game.

Teammate Sagar Patel shared, “During that time, Shakib bhai was always smiling, joking around, and having fun. It felt like he was enjoying the game purely out of passion, not obligation.”

After Bangladesh’s recent political unrest, the former captain has been somewhat in “self-imposed exile,” taking part in various franchise leagues. However, playing in the U.S. seems to have rekindled his simple joy of cricket. He told Cricbuzz, “I really enjoyed it here. I met many local players, and it felt like going back to my Under-19 days.”

There was no star attitude—neither on the field nor at the hotel. Shakib stayed in a modest two-star accommodation, ate with the team, and even took on difficult fielding positions. Despite eye problems, he practiced for about an hour before every match.

Teammate Sunny Patel remarked, “We had heard many things about him, but when we got to know him, we saw how humble and hardworking he really is.”

Although Shakib has often found himself in the middle of controversies, to his Atlanta teammates he appeared down-to-earth and approachable. After matches, he always obliged fans—whether children or young cricketers—with photos and autographs.

Some perceive Shakib as being driven by money, but he challenged that notion. “What I did, no one in Bangladesh had done before. Maybe it was hard for people to digest back then. Now, when others do it, it’s fine—because I showed the way,” he said.

He played the last five Minor League matches for Atlanta Fire for a relatively small fee—just to honor an old promise to team owner Hasan Tarek.

Shakib is still in the U.S. for medical reasons and will soon consult an eye specialist in Florida.

As for his cricketing future, he has one dream left—to say goodbye on home soil. “If possible, I want to play my last international match at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur. Not for myself, but for my fans. If that happens, it’ll be the most beautiful farewell of my life.”