Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan addresses a press conference ahead of the 2nd Test match between India and Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium, in Kanpur, on September 26, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Thursday (September 26, 2024) announced his retirement from T20 Internationals with immediate effect and also said that the second Test against India will be his last if his country’s board doesn’t give him a farewell match against South Africa at home.
His final international game for Bangladesh will be in the Champions Trophy which is likely to be held in UAE and Pakistan.
The 37-year-old great, who featured in 129 T20Is for Bangladesh will, however, continue to play in franchise leagues.
“I have played my last T20 match in T20 World Cup. We have discussed this with the selectors. Looking at the 2026 World Cup, this is the right time for me to move out. Hopefully, BCB will find some great players and we will perform well,” said Shakib on the eve of the second and final Test against India here.
Shakib, who has played 70 Tests, scoring 4600 runs and taking 242 wickets might just play his last Test in the North Indian industrial town in case the cricket board can’t assure him of his security after being accused of murder although he wasn’t even in the country at that time.
“I have expressed my desire to play my last Test in Mirpur to BCB. They agreed with me. They are trying to organise everything so that I can go to Bangladesh.
If that won’t happen, the match against India in Kanpur would be my last in Test cricket,” he added.
Shakib was named as an accused in a murder case back home during the political unrest that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He was a member of Parliament from her party, the Awami League.
Shakib made the announcement while interacting with Bangladeshi media but spoke in English following a request from the Indian journalists.
In an unexpected turn of events, Shakib was named in an FIR in a murder case related to the civil protests in Bangladesh last August.
The case pertains to the death of garment worker Mohammed Rubel, whose father, Rafiqul Islam, filed the complaint on August 7.
The 37-year-old Shakib indicated that he may not travel back home after the current series in India, if he can’t be promised safety.
“Going back to Bangladesh is not a problem but leaving is. My close friends and family members have concerns (about my safety), I hope things are better, well and there should be is a solution to it.” In January, Shakib had won an uncontested election to become a member of parliament for the then-ruling Awami League party. He was criticised for not speaking up for the student community during the protests.
Many Bangladeshis reportedly raised slogan against Shakib when he played in Pakistan. Even non resident Bangladeshis hurled abuses during a private T20 league, the video of which became viral on social media.
“I have 8 games to go in ODIs, and the Champions Trophy will be my last.”
Published – September 26, 2024 02:37 pm IST
Content Source: www.thehindu.com