Shakib Al Hasan makes huge international cricket retirement declaration

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has not played for the national cricket team since October 2024, opened up about talks of retirement. Shakib stated that he has not retired from international cricket and added that he would play his final match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

The left-arm spinner has been blocked from representing Bangladesh in cricket amid political turmoil in the country. He is facing political allegations from his tenure as an Awami League MP under the former Sheikh Hasina administration. Shakib was named among 147 individuals in an FIR filed in Dhaka.

Shakib Al Hasan Has Been A Consistent Star for Bangladesh Across All Formats

Shakib Al Hasan has been one of the best performers for Bangladesh across all formats. Ahead of the 2024 Kanpur Test against India, Shakib had signaled his intention to retire from T20Is and Tests.

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The all-rounder had said that he ended his T20 career with Bangladesh and stepped away from Tests after the Mirpur Test against South Africa in 2023. However, political unrest in Dhaka forced Shakib to withdraw from the Kanpur Test.

Shakib has a good record at his home ground. He has scored 1,583 Test runs at an average of 43.97 and taken 76 wickets. In ODI, he has amassed 2,656 runs at an average of 37.40 and picked up 131 wickets at an average of 24.19. He has scored 547 runs in T20Is at an average of 18.3 and taken 45 wickets.

I Am Not Retired From Any Format - Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan clarified that he has not officially retired from international cricket. The 38-year-old expressed his desire to make a farewell appearance on home soil, hoping to give his fans a memorable final match at Mirpur.

“To be honest, I am not retired from any format officially,” Shakib told Cricbuzz. “I think it’s more for them than it’s for me (playing in Mirpur one final time). If that happens, that’s the best thing that can happen to my fans and to me.”

The former captain has been living abroad. Shakib has been active in franchise cricket, featuring in leagues like the PSL and CPL. He also represented Atlanta Fire in the U.S. Minor League Cricket. Shakib has found renewed happiness in the game despite the controversies back home.

Shakib Al Hasan Can Never Again Play for Bangladesh - Sports advisor

Earlier this year, Bangladesh’s sports advisor Asif Mahmud stated that Shakib Al Hasan would no longer be allowed to represent the national team. This decision came after the all-rounder posted a birthday message on social media wishing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Asif said that Shakib would not be permitted to carry the Bangladesh flag or wear the national jersey again. He emphasized that his directive to the Bangladesh Cricket Board was final.

“We cannot let him carry the Bangladesh flag,” Asif said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “It won’t be possible for me to allow him to wear the Bangladesh jersey. Maybe I haven’t told the BCB before, but now my clear direction for the BCB would be that Shakib Al Hasan can never again play for Bangladesh."

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