Bangladesh ex-captain Shakib Al Hasan, who is facing prosecution for his relationship with the country’s former leader, has announced his retirement from international cricket. However, he hopes to play at least one more match back home before officially ending his career. The 37-year-old is facing murder charges along with other members of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina’s party, accused of involvement in a deadly police crackdown on protesters.
Shakib, who briefly served as a lawmaker under Hasina this year, has not returned to Bangladesh since her government was toppled in a student-led revolution. Despite announcing that the next year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan would be his last international outing, Shakib expressed his desire to play in a two-Test series against South Africa before retiring. He has requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board to facilitate his return for the series.
The South Africa tour, scheduled to begin on October 21, is uncertain due to safety concerns following last month’s revolution. Shakib, however, remains hopeful to play his final Test matches against South Africa in Mirpur if the series goes ahead. He emphasized that his safety and security in Bangladesh are his primary concerns, given the ongoing criminal proceedings against him.
Having already retired from T20 cricket after the World Cup in June, Shakib plans to play his final 50-over matches at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February. He was instrumental in Bangladesh’s rise as an international cricket contender, captivating fans with his performances. Shakib is the only player to have topped the ICC all-rounder rankings in all three formats simultaneously.
Throughout his career, Shakib has represented Bangladesh in 70 Tests, 247 ODIs, and 129 T20 matches since his international debut in 2006. He played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s historic Test series sweep in Pakistan and also went on to play county cricket for Surrey in England. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Shakib’s contributions to Bangladeshi cricket have been significant and memorable.
