Shakib al Hasan Reverses Retirement, Aims for One Final Home Series Before Retiring.
Bangladesh veteran all-rounder Shakib al Hasan has made a surprising revelation, stating that despite earlier announcements, he has not officially retired from all formats and remains keen on a proper farewell on home soil. Speaking on a recent episode of Moeen Ali’s Beard Before Wicket podcast, Shakib said, “I am officially not retired from all formats. This is the first time I’ll be revealing that.”
Last year, ahead of the second Test against the India national cricket team in Kanpur in September 2024, Shakib announced his immediate retirement from T20 Internationals. He also expressed his intention to step away from Test cricket after a planned home series against the South Africa national cricket team, subject to security clearance.
However, political upheaval in Bangladesh, including the fall of the party under which Shakib was elected as a Member of Parliament and subsequent security concerns prevented his return to the country. As a result, the envisioned farewell Test series was left unplayed, and Shakib remained away from the national side for more than a year.
Now, the 38-year-old all-rounder wants to end things on his own terms: by playing a full bilateral series in all three formats Test, ODI and T20I in Bangladesh. “My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test and T20, and retire,” he declared. He made it clear that he would not continue beyond that series “it doesn’t matter if I play well or not.” Shakib explained that his participation in various foreign franchise leagues in recent months has a purpose: staying fit and ready. The only goal, he said, is to return and bid farewell properly in front of the fans who supported him throughout his distinguished career.
The all-rounder added that this decision is more about gratitude than personal pride. He wants to “give something back” to supporters who have cheered him over the years by offering one final series at home a symbolic closure for a career that spanned nearly two decades.
If the move materialises, Shakib’s swansong will be a tri-format series blending the formats that defined his international journey. For Bangladesh cricket, it would not just be the final chapter of one of its greatest ever players, but a moment of nostalgia, respect, and closure for fans around the country.
Last year, ahead of the second Test against the India national cricket team in Kanpur in September 2024, Shakib announced his immediate retirement from T20 Internationals. He also expressed his intention to step away from Test cricket after a planned home series against the South Africa national cricket team, subject to security clearance.
However, political upheaval in Bangladesh, including the fall of the party under which Shakib was elected as a Member of Parliament and subsequent security concerns prevented his return to the country. As a result, the envisioned farewell Test series was left unplayed, and Shakib remained away from the national side for more than a year.
Now, the 38-year-old all-rounder wants to end things on his own terms: by playing a full bilateral series in all three formats Test, ODI and T20I in Bangladesh. “My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test and T20, and retire,” he declared. He made it clear that he would not continue beyond that series “it doesn’t matter if I play well or not.” Shakib explained that his participation in various foreign franchise leagues in recent months has a purpose: staying fit and ready. The only goal, he said, is to return and bid farewell properly in front of the fans who supported him throughout his distinguished career.
The all-rounder added that this decision is more about gratitude than personal pride. He wants to “give something back” to supporters who have cheered him over the years by offering one final series at home a symbolic closure for a career that spanned nearly two decades.
If the move materialises, Shakib’s swansong will be a tri-format series blending the formats that defined his international journey. For Bangladesh cricket, it would not just be the final chapter of one of its greatest ever players, but a moment of nostalgia, respect, and closure for fans around the country.
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