Shakib Al Hasan announces test retirement date, retires from T20Is with immediate effect

Shakib Al Hasan last played a T20I in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and is currently part of the test series against India.

Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is close to winding up his international career as he has confirmed his test and T20I retirements.

Currently part of the test series in India, Shakib revealed that he has told the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) about his decision to retire from test cricket after October’s series against South Africa.

However, that is contingent on Shakib getting security assurances of being safe in Dhaka and getting out of the city safely. Otherwise, the second test against India in Kanpur, which starts on September 27, will be his last test match.

The test series against South Africa is still tentative, as Cricket South Africa is yet to give it security clearance following the inspections of the venue earlier this week.

“I am available for the South Africa series but since there’s a lot happening back home, naturally not everything depends on me. I have discussed my plans about Test cricket with the BCB. Especially this series and the home series. I was thinking that it could be my last Test series,” Shakib Al Hasan said in Kanpur.

“I have told [BCB president] Faruque bhai and the selectors. If there’s a chance and if I can play, my last Test will be in Mirpur. The board is trying to ensure that I can play and feel safe, at the same time that I can leave the country without a hitch.”

There are security concerns surrounding Shakib Al Hasan, who was a member of parliament of the Awami League-led government that was dissolved after Sheikh Hasina fled the country. Shakib has also been away from Bangladesh since then.

“I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I shouldn’t have any problem going back to Bangladesh. My concern is my safety and security in Bangladesh. My close friends and family members are concerned. I hope things are getting better. There should be a solution to it,” he added.

Shakib Al Hasan retires from T20Is with immediate effect

Further, the legendary all-rounder confirmed that he has retired from T20Is with immediate effect. Shakib’s last T20I outing was during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA, where Bangladesh reached the Super Eight round.

When asked whether he will play in the T20I series against India, Shakib Al Hasan said, “I don’t see any reason of playing in the upcoming series. I think this is the best time and opportunity to try out new players. India, West Indies and then few other series. If BCB start targeting the 2026 T20 World Cup from now on, I think that this will be the best decision.

“I made this decision after discussing with the board. The match in T20I World Cup was my last.”

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