Shakib Al Hasan Reverses Retirement to Play Final All-Formats Home Series

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has confirmed that he is officially not retired and wants to return for one last all-formats home series before ending his international career.​

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Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has confirmed that he has reversed his earlier decision to retire from Test and T20I cricket and now plans a final home series across all three formats before walking away from the international game. Shakib revealed his plan during an appearance on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, saying he remains available for Bangladesh and wants to play one complete ODI, Test and T20I series at home as his farewell. He stressed that the idea is less about results and more about offering fans a proper goodbye in front of a home crowd.​

Shakib’s retirement journey

Shakib announced in 2024 that he was stepping away from Test and T20I cricket, while still technically remaining available for ODIs. He has not played for Bangladesh since a Test match against India in Kanpur in October 2024, and he has stayed away from the national setup amid political turmoil and selection controversy. During this period, he continued to feature in franchise T20 leagues and county cricket to maintain fitness and match sharpness.​

Key recent milestones in Shakib’s international career

Why he wants a final all-formats home series

In the podcast, Shakib said this is the first time he has publicly clarified that he is not retired from any format and remains available to play for Bangladesh. He outlined a clear plan: return home, play one bilateral series that includes ODIs, Tests and T20Is, and then retire from international cricket at the end of that series, regardless of the order in which the formats are scheduled.​

Shakib framed the farewell as a way of giving something back to supporters who have followed his career for nearly two decades, noting that performance would be secondary to the chance to say goodbye at home. He also stressed that he does not intend to extend his career beyond that one full series, indicating that the U-turn is not a long-term comeback but a controlled exit under his own terms.​

Selection, politics and what must happen next

Any farewell series will depend on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selecting Shakib and agreeing a suitable home window that includes all three formats. Shakib acknowledged that he cannot guarantee selection but said he is hopeful of a return, explaining that his ongoing participation in T20 leagues is aimed at staying fit and ready if the chance comes.​

His situation has been complicated by recent political upheaval in Bangladesh, where he previously served as a member of parliament for the Awami League government that was removed from power in August 2024. Local reports have noted tensions with sporting authorities, including claims from a government sports adviser earlier in 2025 that Shakib would not be allowed to represent Bangladesh after publicly greeting former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, raising questions about whether a formal clearance will be needed for his return.​

If the BCB and authorities do approve a final all-formats home series, Shakib’s presence would give Bangladesh a short-term injection of experience with both bat and ball while also offering a symbolic transition point for a younger core of players. Any such series would likely attract intense fan and media attention, turning his last appearances into a national event and closing the career of one of Bangladesh’s most influential cricketers on home soil.​