Shakib Al Hasan cancels retirement, announces return to all formats

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has rowed back on his decision to retire from Tests and T20Is, saying he now intends to play in all three formats at home before drawing the curtain on his illustrious international career.

He made the remarks during an appearance on the Beard Before Wicket podcast featuring England star Moeen Ali, reports bdnews24.com, citing ESPNcricinfo.

Shakib, who has not played for Bangladesh since May 2024 and announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is last year, said he wanted to sign off with a full series at home.

"I am officially not retired from all formats. This is the first time I'll be revealing that. My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test, and T20, and retire," he is quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"I mean, [I can] retire from all formats in a series. So it can start from T20I, ODI and Test, or Test, ODI, T20I. Either way, I'm fine, but I want to play a whole series and retire. That's what I want."

Shakib has not returned to the country since the Awami League government was toppled by a student-led mass uprising in August last year. He was an MP for the party and was later named in an FIR relating to an alleged murder case, though he was abroad at the time.

He subsequently played Test matches in Pakistan and India, with the second Test in Kanpur his most recent international appearance.

When asked if he expected to return to Bangladesh, Shakib said: "I am hopeful. That's why I'm playing [T20 leagues]. I think it will happen."

He added that results would not define any farewell.

"I think when a player says something, they try to stick to their words. They normally don't change it all of a sudden. It doesn't matter if I play well or not. I might play a bad series after that, if I want to play. But I don't need to do that.

"I think this is enough. It's just a nicer way to say bye to the fans who have always supported me, give something back to them, playing a home series."

Shakib had indicated last year that he was stepping away from T20Is, and had expressed a desire to finish his Test career during the home series against South Africa scheduled for October.

That plan faltered amid protests around the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, after which he apologised for remaining silent during the student-led movement.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board later left him out of the South Africa Tests, citing concerns that the interim government could not ensure his safe passage.

Although a BCB official indicated earlier this year that Shakib would be welcomed back, Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said in September that the 37-year-old would not be allowed to play after he publicly wished ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina on her birthday.

Shakib, elected as an MP from Magura in January 2024, suggested his political ambitions remain intact.

"[I have] done my cricketing part. Maybe the political side is left," he said.

"It's something I want to do for the people of Bangladesh and the people of Magura. That was my intention, and it is still my intention. Let's see where Allah takes me."