Shakib Al Hasan announces Kanpur Test could be his last, confirms T20I retirement

Shakib Al Hasan was initially doubtful for the second Test against India in Kanpur beginning November 27 owing to a finger injury but has since been made available for selection. On the eve of the encounter, the 37-year-old stated the match could be his last in Bangladesh whites if he fails to secure safe passage in and out of his own country for the two-match series against South Africa in October. The affair had earlier been postponed owing to political unrest, which saw then parliamentarian Shakib ousted from power, and he has yet to set foot in Bangladesh since despite vague reassurances of his safety.  

“I have expressed my desire to play my last Test in Mirpur, if that won't happen, second Test against India would be my last,” Shakib was quoted saying by PTI.

“Going back to Bangladesh is not a concern, but leaving Bangladesh once I go there is dangerous,” he added.

Shakib made his Test debut against India in 2007 in Chattogram and has since gone on to represent Bangladesh in 70 Tests so far, accumulating 4,600 runs and scalping 242 wickets along the way. The veteran all-rounder has contributed to 15 of the 21 Test wins the nation has managed in their history, including taking a 10-wicket haul in Bangladesh's only win against Australia, in Mirpur in 2017.

The veteran all-rounder also confirmed he won't feature in the shortest format for the Tigers any longer, making his appearance at the T20 World Cup his final bow in Bangladeshi green. One of Bangladesh's pioneers in the format and the most sought after cricketer from the country in franchise leagues around the world, Shakib ended up with 129 caps wherein he scored over 2,500 runs and took 149 wickets. Previously, Shakib had already confirmed that the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, slated to be held in February, would be his last ODI outing and thus his final assignment as a Bangladeshi cricketer.