All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket. The all-rounder will bid farewell to this prestigious format by participating in the home series against South Africa.
The announcement was made during a press conference held before the match against India on Thursday.
Additionally, Shakib revealed that he will no longer participate in international T20 cricket, having played his final shorter format match for the Tigers in the last T20 World Cup.
Shakib has been away from the country for an extended period, and during this time, Bangladesh has not hosted any home matches.
However, South Africa is scheduled to visit Dhaka for a two-Test series next October, and Shakib has expressed his desire to conclude his Test career with this series.
There are concerns, though, about his ability to play in the country due to an ongoing murder case against him.
In his statement, Shakib said, "I believe it would be fitting to end my Test career in front of our home fans. Bangladesh cricket has given me so much, and I want to conclude this format at home. I have conveyed my wish to the BCB to play my last Test in Mirpur. If that is not possible, the match against India in Kanpur will be my final Test."
Reflecting on his T20 career, Shakib added, "I think I have
already played my last T20 international match in the World Cup. After discussing my future with the BCB and considering the 2026 World Cup, I feel it is the right time to step down. I made this decision with no regrets."
Shakib's illustrious Test career includes 70 matches since his debut in 2007, during which he has amassed 4,600 runs at an average of 38.33, with five centuries and 31 fifties. He has also taken 242 wickets, including 19 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket matches. In international T20s, he has scored 2,551 runs and taken 149 wickets in 129 matches.
