Shakib Al Hasan Says Kanpur Test May Be His Last; Confirms T20I Retirement

Kanpur: Bangladesh’s seasoned all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan has hinted that the upcoming Kanpur Test against India could mark his final appearance in red-ball cricket. He also confirmed his retirement from T20 Internationals.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the second Test between India and Bangladesh, Shakib expressed his wish to play his last Test in front of a home crowd at Mirpur. If that doesn’t materialise, he confirmed that the Kanpur match would be his last Test.

“I want my final Test to be in Mirpur, but if it’s not possible, then the second Test against India will be my last,” Shakib stated during the conference.

Reflecting on his career, Shakib expressed gratitude towards Bangladesh cricket. “Bangladesh cricket has given me so much, and I want to finish this format at home,” he added.

Shakib’s Test career began against India in 2007 in Chattogram and since then, he has been a stalwart for the national team. In 70 Tests, Shakib has scored 4,600 runs, including five centuries and 31 fifties, making him the third-highest run-scorer in Bangladesh’s Test history.

With the ball, Shakib holds the record as Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, having claimed 242 wickets. He is the only bowler from Bangladesh to surpass the 200-wicket milestone in the format.

In the T20 format, Shakib had hinted at retirement during the recent T20 World Cup and made it official during the press conference. Over the course of 129 T20Is, Shakib scored 2,551 runs with a strike rate of 121.18. As a bowler, he took 149 wickets, just one shy of 150, with his best performance being 5/20. His last T20I appearance came during the T20 World Cup against Afghanistan.