The latest twist in Shakib Al Hasan's career came on Sunday, when he declared that he was "officially not retired" from all formats.
Undoubtedly one of Bangladesh’s greatest-ever players, Shakib Al Hasan confirmed on Sunday (December 7) that he was active in all international formats, despite last playing for the country in October 2024.
While it is now clear where he stands with respect to international cricket, Shakib has rather taken the scenic route to this conclusion.
April 2021
Aged 34, whispers of when Shakib would hang up his boots began to gather steam, before he put an end to speculation with a bold proclamation on Facebook: “In the year 2023, it’s my last World Cup. If Bangladesh don’t win, I will continue until 2027.
“I have no plans of retirement as of now. The prospects are open for the time being. When I feel I’m not enjoying the sport anymore, then I will retire. And until the time I feel I am enjoying [it], I will continue.”
September 2023
Two years later, Shakib was more firm in his plans going forward. Ahead of that year’s World Cup, after he had been reinstated as Bangladesh’s ODI skipper, he said, “The 2025 Champions Trophy for ODIs and the 2024 T20 World Cup for T20Is [will be my last games for Bangladesh].
“Tests may be sooner. Maybe (after the World Cup). I will retire all at once, but I will stop playing each format one by one. I will announce my retirement after the 2025 Champions Trophy.”
Later that year, Shakib contested the 2024 Bangladesh general election as the ruling Awami League party’s candidate, and won to become a Member of Parliament from the constituency of Magura-1.
September 2024
In August 2024, a student-led political movement led to the fall of the Awami League government, as prime minister Sheikh Hasina was deposed after 15 years as the head of the country.
As an MP, Shakib was part of the government. But he was also named as an accused in the alleged murder of one Mohammad Rubel during clashes between protestors and the police.
When Bangladesh arrived in India for a two-Test series in September, Shakib told reporters in Kanpur that he had “already played his final T20I”, adding that he feared for his safety in Bangladesh (“Going back to Bangladesh is not a concern, but leaving Bangladesh once I go there is dangerous.”). He soon re-opened the door to a comeback in the shortest format, though.
At the time, Shakib wanted the first Test at Mirpur against South Africa in the upcoming home series to be his last match in the format. He was even picked in the squad for that game.
However, the Mirpur Chhatra Janata, a student organisation, wrote to the Bangladesh Cricket Board demanding that Shakib be dropped from the squad, which he was. There were also protests at the venue with signs calling Shakib “Hasina’s man” and “Fascist”, among other things.
Following this, it was largely taken that Shakib’s international career was coming to an end.
Further complications came in December, when he was suspended from bowling after being called for an illegal action in the County Championship. He was not cleared to bowl until March 2025, and that may have been why Bangladesh left him out of their Champions Trophy squad.
During this time, an arrest warrant was also issued in Shakib's name (separate from the murder case in which he had been named). This was for two bounced bank cheques instead. As of December 2025, there has been no update on the situation.
May 2025
Between September 2024 and May 2025, there had been no public confirmation either way on Shakib’s availability for international cricket.
“Shakib will always be in the consideration of the selectors and the team management,” BCB director Iftekhar Rahman said after Bangladesh lost a T20I series 2-1 to the UAE.
“He is an asset for any team. He is a world-class cricketer. He has just returned after correcting his bowling action so our team management will keep track of him. It is definitely not [the end of our association with Shakib]. He has only played a few matches after his suspension. Let him play a few more matches, I think then we can answer the question [of his return].”
September 2025
Another U-turn took place on September 28, when Shakib was involved in a war of words on social media with Bangladesh interim sports advisor Asif Mahmud.
The interaction kicked off after Shakib posted a birthday wish for Sheikh Hasina on Facebook (remember, the current Bangladesh government is the one that came to power after deposing her). Mahmud then told local broadcaster Channel 24 that Shakib would not be allowed to “carry the Bangladeshi flag” or “wear the national jersey” again.
Mahmud further said Shakib was “deeply tied” to the Awami League, whereas Shakib insisted that he only contested on the party’s ticket in order to serve the people of his constituency.
Such a firm stance, one thinks, would have been the end of Shakib’s international career…
December 2025
… But no.
For the first time in over a year, there is now a clear message from Shakib saying where he stands with respect to international cricket.
Appearing alongside former England international Moeen Ali on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, Shakib said, “I am officially not retired from all formats. My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series – ODI, Test and T20I – and retire. Retire from all formats in a series. I want to play a whole series and retire. I am hopeful, I think it will happen.”
Shakib said that “the only reason” he has continued to participate in franchise leagues like the Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League and International League T20 was to stay fit in anticipation of a farewell series. He also added that even if he were to perform well in such a series, he would not carry on afterwards.
Following the T20 World Cup early next year, Bangladesh have an all-format home series scheduled against Pakistan (two Tests, three ODIs, three T20Is) which could provide the opportunity for Shakib’s farewell series.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
