Kanpur, India

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has announced that he has retired from T20Is and will play his last Test against South Africa next month at home. Shakib made the statement ahead of the second Test against India in Kanpur which starts Friday (Sep 27).

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Shakib last played in T20Is for Bangladesh during the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. The Test series against South Africa is still tentative though with the visitors still sitting on the security clearance after inspecting the venues. This comes amid the unrest in Bangladesh in July-August which saw Awami League-led government being overthrown in protests.  A lot of people had died in the protests against the government.

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"I am available for the South Africa series but since there's a lot happening back home, naturally not everything depends on me," Shakib said. "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."

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"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," he said. "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."

Shakib was a Member of Parliament (MP) of Sheikh Hasina-led party and has faced complications since, including being named in an FIR for murder.

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With retirement from Tests and T20Is, the ODIs are going to be the only format Shakib will continue to play for Bangladesh.