Shakib Al Hasan has announced that he has not formally retired from international cricket — contrary to earlier assumptions — and is hoping for one final opportunity to represent his country across all three formats. He revealed on the “Beard Before Wicket” podcast that his dream is to return to Bangladesh and play a complete series comprising Test, ODI and T20, then formally draw a curtain on his career.
Though he had previously stepped away — retiring from T20 Internationals and stepping back from Tests and ODIs — Shakib now says this is a chance to give fans a proper farewell. He doesn’t care about the order of formats: whether the series begins with T20, ODI or Test, his aim remains the same — a final, full-format tour at home and then a peaceful exit from international cricket.
Absence, Political Complications and Ongoing Hope
Shakib has not played for Bangladesh since his 71st Test — contested in India — last year. His absence, however, is not just a sporting hiatus: following the ouster of the Awami League government and the resulting political upheaval, the former cricketer-turned-MP left the country.
Shakib had requested a farewell Test at home during a proposed series against South Africa national cricket team, but that plan fell through when authorities reportedly could not guarantee his safety, given his political affiliations. Despite these complications, he continues to play global franchise T20 leagues — holding onto the belief that a homecoming farewell remains possible.
Bowling Ban & Candid Confession: The “Chucking” Episode
In another startling revelation, Shakib admitted that during an English County Championship match for Surrey County Cricket Club, he intentionally “chucked” — i.e., bowled with an illegal action — owing to severe physical exhaustion. He said the match had pushed him beyond limits: more than 70 overs in a single game, a workload he claimed he had never experienced even during a Test.
Following an independent assessment by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) — conducted at Loughborough University — his bowling action was ruled illegal, resulting in a suspension from bowling in all ECB-governed competitions.
Shakib accepted full responsibility for his decision. He said that while the umpires could have issued warnings, they followed the rules and imposed the ban — which he did not contest.
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