KANPUR, India (AP) — Bangladesh cricket great Shakib Al Hasan wants his last test match to be in his Dhaka hometown next month.
He’s not sure it will be, though, because he’s worried about his safety.
Shakib, who has played for Bangladesh for 19 years, told the selectors and the national cricket board (BCB) this week of his pending test retirement, and his immediate retirement from Twenty20s. He wants to continue in one-day internationals until the Champions Trophy in February in Pakistan.
The hitch is him getting a security clearance from his government if he returns home.
He’s in India, playing the ongoing second test against the host in Kanpur.
Shakib was a Member of Parliament under the Awami League-led government until the party was ousted from power in August in the face of nationwide protests. Following the government’s fall, many Awami League politicians went into hiding, were arrested, and banned from leaving the country.
Shakib, who reportedly hasn’t been in Bangladesh since before the protests, was accused in a murder case related to the protests by the Adabor police station. The BCB has allowed him to continue playing for the national team until proven guilty.
South Africa plans to play two tests in Bangladesh next month, subject to a security clearance, and Shakib wants the first match in Dhaka to be his 72nd and last test.
But his desire for a security guarantee from the BCB can’t be fulfilled, board president Faruque Ahmed said this week.
“Shakib’s security is not in the board’s hand,” Faruque told ESPN. “The board can’t provide an individual with personal security. He has to take a decision on that. His security has to come from the highest level of the government.”
Shakib said if he can’t get security guarantees for his safety, and receive permission to leave the country, then this week’s test against India in Kanpur would be his last.
“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,” he said. “My close friends and family members are concerned. I hope things are getting better. There should be a solution to it.
“I am available for the South Africa series but since there’s a lot happening back home, everything doesn’t depend on me. I have discussed my plans (with the BCB). If there’s a chance, and if I could play, my last test will be in Mirpur (Dhaka). The board is trying to ensure that I can play and feel safe, but at the same time, I should be able to leave the country without a hitch.
“It has been tough for me, while I am focused on the game. There is a case against me. I will be glad to see evidence of it, if it was done properly. Everyone has rights — people know where I was and what I was doing at the time. False allegations are not really giving our country a great outlook. It is not very appropriate.”
The 37-year-old Shakib has been a tremendous all-rounder for Bangladesh across 71 tests, 247 ODIs and 129 T20s. He was ranked the world’s best allrounder for long periods.
“It is the right time to move on and create a place for new players,” he said. “I have played my last T20 in the World Cup (this year). I won’t be playing in the upcoming series against India and the West Indies.
“If I do well in the franchise leagues in the next months, BCB can call me up if they feel I can contribute to the T20 side (for the 2026 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka). Basically, I can see the end of my career in these two formats. I am happy and don’t have any regrets in life. I have enjoyed my cricket career and it is the right time for me as well as Bangladesh cricket.”
___
AP cricket:
