Follow UsIt is easier said than done to forget one’s entire identity, their bloodlines, their childhood, youth and the country in which it all transpired. Maybe that is what is haunting Bangladesh’s greatest ever all-rounder, who, despite living in exile, yearns for one last chance to play at home, say goodbye to the fans that build the enigma that he is and then put to rest his international playing career.
Shakib Al Hasan, despite clear communication from Bangladesh’s sports advisor in the interim government, Asif Mahmud Bhuiyan, that he will not be allowed to play for Bangladesh and in Bangladesh, is hopeful about a return to the land he calls home.
"I am hopeful and that's why I am playing, and I think it will happen and that's the reason, the only reason I am playing,” Cricbuzz quoted Shakib as saying on the Beard Before Wicket podcast.
"I am officially not retired from all formats. This is the first time I'll be revealing that," he added.
The 38-year-old, who will soon turn 39, had announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is after the series in India in 2024. However, now, he wants to play one full series involving all formats at home and then bid goodbye.
"My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test, and T20, and retire. It can start with T20I, ODI and Test, or Test, ODI, T20I. Either way, I'm fine, but I want to play a whole series and retire. That's what I want," Shakib confirmed.
The man, who has 14730 international runs and 712 wickets, completing a rare double of 14 thousand runs and 700 wickets, achieved by no one else in the history of the game, said that he would stand by his words and wouldn’t play for the country any more after he had had his wish of saying goodbye at home.
"I think when a player says something they try to stick to their words. They normally don't change it all of a sudden. It doesn't matter if I play well or not. I might play a bad series after that, if I want to play. But I don't need to do that," said the southpaw.
"I think this is enough. It's just a nice way to say bye to the fans that have always supported me, give something back to them, by playing a home series," he added.
Bhuiyan imposed the ban on Shakib after he wished former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her birthday earlier in September 2025.