Bangladesh's former captain Shakib Al Hasan, who is facing legal proceedings due to his association with the country's previous leader, announced on Thursday that he plans to retire from international cricket soon. However, he expressed a desire to play at least one more match in his homeland before hanging up his boots. Shakib is among dozens of members from ex-premier Sheikh Hasina's party who have been charged with involvement in a violent police crackdown on protesters.
The 37-year-old, who briefly served as a lawmaker under Hasina earlier this year, has not returned to Bangladesh since her government was overthrown last month in a student-led revolution. Shakib mentioned that the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year would likely be his final international appearance. Nevertheless, he hopes to return home for a scheduled two-Test series against South Africa and has requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to facilitate his return.
"It's my wish, and I've communicated this to the BCB and selectors," Shakib told reporters prior to the second Test against India in Kanpur. "They have agreed to try and arrange everything possible so that I can go back to Bangladesh, play those two Test matches in Mirpur, and conclude my Test career there." He added, "If that doesn't materialize, this might be my last one."
The South Africa tour, set to commence on October 21, remains uncertain, with the Proteas evaluating whether Bangladesh is safe following last month's revolution. Shakib, who was participating in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada during the unrest that led to Hasina's ouster, expressed his hope to return home to play his final Test series against South Africa if the tour proceeds.
Shakib has already announced his retirement from T20 cricket following the World Cup in June. He plans to play his final 50-over matches at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February. Shakib, the only player to top the International Cricket Council's all-rounder rankings in all three formats simultaneously, has been a pivotal figure in Bangladesh's rise as a competitive international team. He recently played a crucial role in his team's historic Test series sweep in Pakistan and went on to play county cricket for Surrey in England before heading to India.
