Shakib retires from T20Is, set to retire from Test after South Africa series

|| CF DESK ||

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan retired from T20Is as Bangladesh all-rounder said he has already played his final T20I for Bangladesh during the last T20 World Cup.

The veteran also expects the Tigers' home series against South Africa in October-November to be his last Test series at Mirpur.

"I am available for the South Africa series but since there's a lot happening back home, naturally not everything depends on me. I have discussed my plans about Test cricket with the BCB. Especially this series and the home series. I was thinking that it could be my last Test series,” Shakib said at the press conference in Kanpur today ahead of Bangladesh's second and final Test against India tomorrow.

The 37-year-old, who has not returned to Bangladesh since losing his parliamentary seat in a student-led revolution last month, said next year's 50-over Champions Trophy in Pakistan would be his last international outing.

"I have told [BCB president] Faruque bhai and the selectors. If there's a chance and if I can play, my last Test will be in Mirpur. The board is trying to ensure that I can play and feel safe, at the same time that I can leave the country without a hitch,"

"I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I shouldn't have any problem going back to Bangladesh. My concern is my safety and security in Bangladesh. My close friends and family members are concerned. I hope things are getting better. There should be a solution to it" he added.

Shakib further informed that he will not be playing T20 format for the next few series as he feels it is time to move on from the format.

"In T20Is, I have similar thoughts. Even if it's a bit unrelated, I want to say that I have talked to selectors, the board president, and others. I feel it is the right time that I move on from T20 cricket. In the next few series, some new players should come and be given opportunities. At the same time if I play franchise league and do well and the BCB feels in six months or a year that I have a chance to contribute in T20s and that I am performing by staying fit then we can decide. At this moment I don't see myself in T20s. So basically you can say that in two formats, I am seeing my last," he declared.

The veteran player has represented Bangladesh in 70 Tests, 247 ODIs and 129 T20 matches since his international debut in 2006.