A day before his team’s second Test matchup with India at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium, Shakib makes his announcement.
Former Bangladesh captain and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan declared his retirement from the shortest format of cricket after playing in 129 T20I matches. In addition, Shakib declared his intention to call it quits on Test cricket at the conclusion of the home series against South Africa in Mirpur the following month.
“Now is the ideal moment to include new players. The same goal applies to T20Is as well. Shakib told reporters, “I’ve spoken to the president of the BCB and the chief selector, and we all felt that this was the right time to move on and allow new players to come up the ranks,” according to PTI.
If allowed, the 37-year-old all-rounder said he would like to play his last Test match in front of his home supporters at the storied Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
“I have stated that I would like to play my final Test match in Mirpur; if that is not possible, I would play my final Test match against India. Returning to Bangladesh is not a worry, but leaving the country after I arrive is risky, Shakib stated.
But the second and final match of the current series against India might be his last longer format match for Bangladesh if he is unable to play in the Mirpur Test next month.
Shakib Al Hasan Announces Test Retirement at Home; Reflects on Remarkable Career Across Formats
“It is appropriate to wrap up my Test career in front of my home supporters. I want to deliver my last in this format at home because Bangladesh cricket has given me so much,” he continued.
Shakib announced his intention to step away from ODI cricket following the 2025 Champions Trophy, among other things.
Shakib’s career in cricket: T20Is: In 129 T20I games, he scored 2,551 runs at a strike average of 121.18. In the format, he claimed 149 wickets as well.
Tests: Shakib, who made his debut for Bangladesh in 2007, has participated in 70 Test matches and amassed 4,600 runs, including five centuries and thirty-one half-centuries. Being the only bowler from his country to reach the 200-wicket milestone in Test cricket, he also claimed 242 wickets. His highest average when bowling is 7/36.
ODIs: Shakib participated in 247 ODIs and amassed 7,570 runs, comprising 56 half-centuries and 9 centuries. 317 wickets were taken by him in this format. 5/29 is his greatest bowling average.
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