Bangladesh’s former cricket captain, Shakib Al Hasan, has announced his plans to retire from international cricket in March 2025 after representing his country for 18 years. Facing murder charges in his home country, Shakib has not returned since the toppling of the government in August. He hopes to play one last Test series in Bangladesh against South Africa, but the tour remains uncertain due to the current political situation. After the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in 2025, he plans to hang up his boots, calling time on his T20 career after the World Cup in June.
Throughout his career, Shakib has been a dominant force in Bangladeshi cricket and is considered one of the greatest all-rounders in the sport. With over 700 wickets and nearly 15,000 runs in international cricket, he has been instrumental in Bangladesh’s rise as a competitive team. Shakib is the only player to have held the top spot in the ICC’s all-rounder rankings in all three formats simultaneously.
Despite the challenges and controversies he has faced, Shakib’s contributions to Bangladesh cricket have been immense. He played a key role in the team’s historic Test series sweep in Pakistan and has been a fan favorite for his performances on the field. As he prepares to retire, he hopes that the Bangladesh Cricket Board will continue to nurture new talent and build on the progress that has been made during his tenure.
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