Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan forced to apologise

Dhaka: "Then again, maybe I shouldn't have visited the place at all. And if that is what you have against me, I am very sorry...I would try to make sure that this never happens again," says Shakib Al Hasan while apologising to the fundamentalist person and his associates, who threatened to kill the Bangladesh all-rounder.

Last Thursday, Shakib went to Kolkata via the Petrapole border to inaugurate a Kali Puja in the Beleghata area of the West Bengal capital. He was seen praying in front of the idol. He then returned to Bangladesh on Friday.

On his YouTube channel, the Bangladesh cricketer has now opened up about two controversial issues involving him and has apologised for his actions which triggered waves of criticism on social media. On the matter of the Kali Puja ceremony, he has offered an apology firsthand.

"In the news here or on social media, it has been said that I went there to inaugurate the ceremony. I did not go there to do it, neither did I do it. You can easily verify this. As a 'conscious Muslim' I wouldn't do that either," said Shakib. "The incident is obviously very sensitive.

I want to start by saying that I think of myself as a 'proud Muslim' and that is what I follow. Mistakes could happen...If I did make any mistake, I ask for your forgiveness," he added. The 33-year-old went on to say that the ceremony had already begun when he arrived at the place and he spoke about the time he spent there.

Another controversy erupted after the cricketer allegedly tossed away and broke the mobile phone of a fan while on his way to India at Benapole's international immigration checkpoint.