In a surprising turn of events, former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has officially withdrawn his retirement from Test and T20 International cricket. The star all-rounder has declared his intention to return to the national team for one final series across all three formats before bidding a permanent farewell to international cricket.
The Comeback Plan and Political Hurdles
This revelation comes after his initial retirement announcement in September 2024 and a subsequent period of absence from Bangladesh. Shakib has been unable to return to his home country due to security concerns following the fall of the Awami League government. The cricketer, who also served as a Member of Parliament, has been out of the international arena for over a year, maintaining his form through various franchise leagues.
Shakib made his intentions clear during an appearance on the Beard Before Wicket podcast with England's Moeen Ali. "I am officially not retired from all formats. This is the first time I'll be revealing that," he stated. He outlined a specific plan for his swansong, expressing a desire to play a full home series.
"My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test, and T20, and retire. I want to play a whole series and retire. That's what I want," Shakib explained, emphasizing that the order of formats does not matter to him.
Controversies and the Bowling Action Saga
The path to this potential comeback has been fraught with controversy. In September 2024, Bangladesh’s sports adviser, Asif Mahmud, announced a ban on Shakib from representing the country. This disciplinary action was triggered after the cricketer extended birthday wishes to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Furthermore, Shakib's recent cricket journey has included on-field challenges. During a county stint with Surrey last year, he was reported for a suspect bowling action and subsequently suspended. In a candid admission, Shakib revealed he had deliberately bowled with an illegal action due to extreme fatigue from bowling over 70 overs in a match, a workload he was unaccustomed to.
"I think I was doing it a little bit intentionally because I bowled more than 70 overs... I was so tired," he confessed. After failing the initial assessment, he underwent corrective training and was cleared to bowl again. His last Test appearances were in 2024 against Pakistan and India.
A Final Gift to the Fans
For Shakib, this planned return is less about performance and more about a dignified exit. He reiterated his commitment to this plan, stating that players usually try to stick to their word. He stressed that the result of the series would not alter his decision to retire.
The driving force behind his comeback is a heartfelt gesture to the supporters who have backed his illustrious career. "It's just a nicer way to say bye to the fans that they supported me always, give something back to them, playing a home series," he added emotionally.
Currently active in franchise cricket, Shakib Al Hasan is biding his time, staying fit and ready for an opportunity to return to the Bangladesh national team and script his retirement on his own terms, aiming for a storybook ending to a celebrated and turbulent career.
