Shakib wishes to retire from cricket on home soil

Shakib Al Hasan, a legend in Bangladesh's cricket history, continues to dream of representing his country. Despite nearing the end of his two-decade international career, the experienced all-rounder hopes to retire on home soil.

Since the political changes in August last year, Shakib has been unable to return to Bangladesh. His last Test match for the national team was in India's Kanpur in September. He then announced his retirement from international T20s and later confirmed his exit from Test cricket after a match against South Africa in Mirpur. Shakib had intended to continue playing in One Day Internationals until the Champions Trophy, but political circumstances prevented these plans from materializing.

In a recent interview with an English daily, Shakib shared, "When I realized I could no longer manage the pressure of playing, I knew it was time. It's not that I don't want to play for my country—I still do. I've had discussions with the BCB president and senior government officials about this."

Shakib also stated that he no longer holds any political position, saying, "I was an MP, but not anymore. I have no political responsibilities now. Is it right to stop something I’ve been doing for 18-20 years? I want to retire on a high by playing for my country. If given the opportunity, even for a series or a year, I want to plan and return to the field."

Shakib expressed no grievances about anyone hindering his return, acknowledging the constraints faced by those in charge. He said, "Everyone is doing their best in their own way. I believe I deserve the chance to play for my country. Most people want me to return to the national team and retire from there."

At the end of the interview, Shakib grew emotional and said, "I’ve served my country for the past 18 years. Whether you focus on just the last six months or the whole journey—that’s your choice."

Shakib remains confident in his ability to play for the national team for another 1–2 years and is actively pursuing that dream.