Shakib Al Hasan Announces T20I Retirement, Eyes Final Test In Mirpur Against SA

Shakib Al Hasan announces T20I retirement, eyes final Test in Mirpur against SA (Image Source: IANS)

Shere Bangla National Stadium: Bangladesh's senior all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has announced his retirement from T20Is while also expressing his desire to retire from Test cricket at the end of the home series against South Africa in Mirpur next month.

The 37-year-old all-rounder made the announcement on Thursday, ahead of his team’s second Test against India at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.

“This is the right time to bring in new players. It’s the same vision for T20Is as well. I have spoken to the chief selector and the BCB president and we all felt that this was the right time to move on and allow new players to come up the ranks,” Shakib told reporters.

Shakib, who has been a constant presence in every T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007, bid farewell to the shortest format of the game, after featuring in 129 T20I matches, amassing 2,551 runs at a strike rate of 121.18. In the bowling front, he has 149 wickets to his name.

The all-rounder revealed that while he hopes to play his final Test match in front of a home crowd at the iconic Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, security concerns might prevent him from fulfilling that wish.

"I have expressed my desire to play my last Test in Mirpur, if that won't happen, the second Test against India would be my last. Going back to Bangladesh is not a concern, but leaving Bangladesh once I go there is dangerous,” Shakib said.

In case Shakib is unable to feature in Mirpur Test next month, the second and final game of the ongoing series against India, starting in Kanpur on Friday, could be his last game for Bangladesh in the longer format.

"It feels fitting to conclude my Test career in front of my home fans. Bangladesh cricket has given me so much, and I want to give my last in this format at home," he added.

Shakib's Test debut, interestingly, came against India in Chattogram back in May 2007, and he went on to play 70 Tests for Bangladesh. He has amassed 4,600 runs, including five centuries and 31 half-centuries, making him the third-highest run-scorer in Bangladesh's Test history.

Moreover, he is Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 242 scalps. He remains the only bowler from his country to surpass the 200-wicket mark in Tests.

Along with his Test career, Shakib also confirmed his plans to retire from ODI cricket after the 2025 Champions Trophy, set to be held early that year. With a career spanning over 17 years, Shakib has been an integral part of Bangladesh’s rise on the international stage.

Moreover, he is Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 242 scalps. He remains the only bowler from his country to surpass the 200-wicket mark in Tests.

Article Source: IANS