Shakib Al Hasan announced his T20I retirement ahead of the India-Bangladesh Kanpur Test, but also kept a comeback door ajar for the shortest format.
Shakib Al Hasan, who also announced he's set to retire from Test cricket after the upcoming South Africa tour, and from ODIs after the 2025 Champions Trophy, is done from T20Is for now, but is open to the possibility of returning.
The joint-fifth most capped men's T20I cricketer, Shakib has appeared in every T20 World Cup edition so far. However, he declared that he had possibly played his last T20I already, at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Speaking to reporters, he revealed his wish of playing a home Test in Mirpur against South Africa next month, but added that he feared for his security, following the crisis in Bangladesh over the last few months.
Shakib was named in a murder charge along with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well as other political leaders of the Awami League party as anti-government protesters clashed with police forces across the country.
Now 37, Shakib said he was done with T20Is as of now, but is open to considering a comeback if things work out six months to a year down the line.
"I had spoken to selectors and the board about T20Is – this is the right time for me to move on from T20Is. In the next few series, a few new players should be tried," said Shakib. "At the same time, If I play franchise league and do well, and in six months or a year if the BCB thinks I have a chance to contribute in T20s and I am fit and performing, then we can take a call and decide.
"But at this point, I don’t see myself playing T20s. I hope the South Africa series is my last in Tests. So basically you can say that in two formats, I am seeing my last."
As with all things Shakib, the retirement announcement might have more drama to follow.
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