Shakib Al Hasan Announces Retirement From T20Is, Wishes To Play Last Test Against South Africa In Front Of Home Crowd

Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan retires from T20Is with immediate effect and has expressed to the BCB his desire to retire from Tests after the Bangladesh vs South Africa Test at Mirpur in October.

Shakib Al Hasan, star Bangladesh all rounder, has announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the second India vs Bangladesh Test at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on September 27 (Friday). Shakib said the IND vs BAN Kanpur Test will be his last if the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) does not grant his request to play a farewell match at Mirpur in front of his home crowd.

Set to play the India vs Bangladesh Test at Kanpur, Shakib Al Hasan dropped surprising news about his future plans in cricket.

IND vs BAN Kanpur Test To Be Shakib's Last If BCB Can't Arrange Swansong In Mirpur

Speaking on the eve of the IND vs BAN Kanpur Test, Shakib expressed that he thinks he has played his last T20I match. He also stated that he has informed the BCB about his wish to end his Test career in front of his home crowd in Mirpur when Bangladesh play South Africa for a two-match Test series, slated to begin on October 21.

"I think I have played my last T20I match. I’ve informed the BCB about my wish to end my Test career in Mirpur, and they’ve agreed in principle. They’re working on making that possible. If things don’t work out, then this match against India will be my last Test." 

However, the announcement regarding Shakib’s involvement in the South Africa Test matches is subject to conditions, as Shakib has requested the freedom to travel in and out of the country. For the unversed, amidst the political turmoil in Bangladesh, Shakib was named in a murder case in Dhaka last month along with 147 others. 

ALSO ON ABP Live | Bangladesh All-Rounder Shakib Al Hasan Named In Murder Case Alongside Former PM Sheikh Hasina

Coming to his involvement in T20Is, Shakib has participated in every edition of the T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007 and concluded the 2024 edition as the tournament’s all-time leading wicket-taker, having taken 50 wickets. Shakib featured in 129 T20Is for Bangladesh and scored 2551 runs and took 149 wickets.

Having retired from the T20Is and set to retire from the longer format of the game soon, Shakib plans on playing the 2025 Champions Trophy as his last ODI assignment for Bangladesh.