Shakib Al Hasan to quit captaincy after ICC Cricket World Cup 2023; Announces retirement date

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will play his 5th World Cup for Bangladesh team.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has revealed his retirement plan from cricket. Shakib Al Hasan will be leading Bangladesh squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Shakib has also revealed that he has planned to leave the captaincy after World Cup tournament. Bangladesh recently played Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka under Shakib Al Hasan’s leadership.

Shakib Al Hasan got Bangladesh team leadership when Tamim Iqbal stepped down from ODI leadership and abruptly announced his retirement from the limited-overs format. Bangladesh won against India and Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2023 but failed miserably against two host nations, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A rift has also come out in the open between the two senior-most Bangladeshi squad members.

Shakib reveals retirement plan

Talking to T-Sports, Shakib revealed his retirement plan and said, “As far as international cricket is concerned, what I see at this moment is up to the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is the ODI format. The T20I format is up to the 2024 World Cup, and that’s it. As far as tests go, maybe sooner, maybe after the World Cup.” Shakib Al Hasan is currently 36 years old and will be playing in his fifth World Cup.

Shakib Al Hasan is leaving the ODI captaincy after the World Cup. Shakib said, “As far as reality goes, I will lead till this World Cup, and I won’t lead in ODIs after that. Let me clarify one thing: I resigned as captain on September 17th, and when I did that, I did not know that this kind of situation was coming up.” He also revealed that it was BCB chief Nazmul Hassan and management who convinced him to continue.

Shakib call Tamim 'Childish'

Bangladesh cricket are currently in a mess since Tamim Iqbal has left the leadership role. Tamim Iqbal was not picked for World Cup squad, and Mahmudullah was brought back into the 15-members squad. Tamim Iqbal accused BCB of playing dirty tricks and excluding him from the World Cup squad. Shakib has now hit out at Tamim Iqbal and said his behaviour is childish.

Explaining Bangladesh’s decision to bring back Mahmudullah, Shakib said, “Mahmudullah Riyad bhai was not there, but suddenly he came to the World Cup team. I felt he could do that, but his dedication and responsibility for the team and urge to play came on notice, so there is a difference.” Bangladesh will open their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.