Picture Credit BCB
Shakib Al Hasan Announces T20I Retirement, Set to Retire from Test Cricket Next Month
Bangladesh cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan has officially announced his retirement from T20I cricket on Thursday. The all-rounder also confirmed he will retire from Test cricket after Bangladesh’s first Test against South Africa in Dhaka next month.
Shakib, who expressed his desire to retire in front of his home crowd, added that his decision depends on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ensuring “absolute security” for him, as it would be his first return to Bangladesh since the fall of the Awami League government, in which he was politically involved.
“I have informed the BCB about my wish to end my Test career in Mirpur, and they’ve agreed in principle,” Shakib said. “They are working with authorities to ensure I can play my final Test safely and leave the country post-series without issues.”
Shakib’s concerns stem from ongoing political instability in Bangladesh. He was one of 147 individuals named in a murder case in Dhaka last month, raising questions about his safety upon return. “My main concern is my safety and security in Bangladesh. My friends and family are worried. I hope things improve soon,” Shakib added.
BCB’s cricket operations head, Shahryar Nafees, reassured that the caretaker government has clarified Shakib will not face harassment upon his return. However, should things not go as planned, Shakib’s second Test against India could potentially be his last match in whites.
Shakib emphasized that his decision was long-considered: “It’s the right time to bring in new players, both in Test and T20 formats. I’ve spoken to the chief selector and BCB president, and we agreed this is the right time to move on and allow fresh talent to rise.”
While Shakib is stepping back from international formats, he remains open to continuing his career in franchise leagues and hinted at the possibility of a national return if needed. “If I perform well in the T20 leagues and BCB feels I’m needed, we can reconsider. But for now, this is it,” he said.
As Bangladesh looks ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup, Shakib encouraged the BCB to focus on nurturing new talents for the tournament. He confirmed that he likely played his final T20I match during the last game of the T20 World Cup earlier this year but mentioned that he remains available for next year’s Champions Trophy. A decision on his ODI future will be made after the tournament, depending on his fitness levels.
Shakib, one of the most accomplished all-rounders in the game, has had an illustrious career, featuring in 70 Test matches, 247 ODIs, and 129 T20Is. He served as Bangladesh’s captain for several years and leaves a lasting legacy in international cricket.
