In a heartfelt announcement on Thursday, Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan revealed his decision to retire from T20I cricket. He also confirmed that his final Test match will be against South Africa in Dhaka next month. Shakib, known for his exceptional skills with both bat and ball, expressed his desire to provide opportunities for emerging players. “This is the right time to bring in new players. It’s the same vision for T20Is as well. I have spoken to the chief selector and the BCB president and we all felt that this was the right time to move on and allow new players to come up the ranks,” he stated with a hint of emotion.
While this marks the end of an era for Shakib in these two formats, he remains committed to playing in franchise leagues. He also left the door open for a potential return to the national team. “But for now, you can say that I am moving on from both the formats. In case, I perform well in the T20 leagues and the BCB feels that they need me in the team for a certain time, then we can consider. But for now, this is it,” Shakib added. This decision comes as a significant moment in Bangladesh cricket, with fans and experts alike acknowledging Shakib’s immense contributions to the team over the years. While his presence on the international stage will be missed, his legacy as one of the greatest all-rounders in the game will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history.
