(ESPN Cricinfo) – Shakib Al Hasan has said that the Dhaka Test against South Africa in October will be his last.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Kanpur Test against India, he also said the 2024 T20 World Cup, which was in June, was his final T20 assignment for Bangladesh, meaning his only international appearances going forward will be in ODIs.
The series against South Africa is still tentative, with Cricket South Africa yet to give it security clearance after inspections of the venue earlier this week. That follows on from the unrest in Bangladesh in July and August, in which several hundreds of people were killed.
Shakib was a member of parliament of the Awami League-led government, against whom the protests were directed. Since the fall of the Awami League-led government on August 5, Shakib has faced complications and has not been in the country.
“I am available for the South Africa series, but since there’s a lot happening back home, naturally not everything depends on me,” Shakib said. “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.
“I have told [BCB president] Faruque [Ahmed] 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.”
“I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I shouldn’t have any problem going back to Bangladesh,” he said. “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.”
If the South Africa series does not go ahead, this Test in Kanpur, starting today, will be his last – but the South Africa Tests are expected to go ahead.
Shakib said that the recent weeks have been difficult for him, particularly when a murder case was filed against him. “It has been tough for me. Only Allah knows how I am focused on the game. Even I don’t know. There is a case against me. Everyone has the rights. You all know what type of case it is or where I was and what I was doing at that time. I don’t want to talk much about it.”
Shakib, however, said that the decision to quit Tests and T20Is wasn’t an emotional one. He said that he discussed the matter with BCB president Faruque Ahmed and the Gazi Ashraf Hossain-led selection committee in recent days. He said that this, at age 37, is the right time for him to leave the two formats.
“I am not hurt or disappointed. I think it is the right time to move on and create a place for the new players. I have also informed the selectors and board president that I should move on from T20Is as well. I think I have played my last T20 in the World Cup [in June]. I won’t be playing the upcoming T20 series [against India and the West Indies] where the new players have opportunities.
“It is the best chance to take a look at new players. It will be a good move to build the team towards the 2026 T20 World Cup. We have taken this as a collective decision.
“I am happy with the decision. I don’t have any regrets in my life. I have enjoyed my cricket career. I think it is the right time for me and Bangladesh cricket. The board president and selectors feel that it is the right time too.”
Shakib leaves behind a rich legacy in both formats. He is the only cricketer in T20Is to score more than 2,500 runs and take 100-plus wickets. At the time of his retirement, he is the third-highest wicket-taker in the format.
Shakib’s Test numbers have been invaluable to Bangladesh. He has 242 wickets and 4,600 runs in his 70 Tests leading into Kanpur. Currently he is among five cricketers – Jacques Kallis, Kapil Dev, Daniel Vettori, and Ian Botham being the others – with 240 wickets and 4,500 runs.
He was the No. 1 all-rounder in both formats for many seasons too and captained Bangladesh in both.
Shakib will continue playing T20 franchise leagues.
