Bangladesh ex-captain Shakib Al Hasan said on Thursday that he would soon retire from international cricket facing prosecution for having a relationship with the country’s former leader, but could get to play at least a match in his home soil first.
Shakib has been charged with murder in addition to dozens of other allies of ex-premier Sheikh Hasina accused of culpability in deadly police crackdown on protesters.
The 37-year-old, who briefly served as a lawmaker under Hasina this year, has not returned to Bangladesh since the toppling of her government last month in a student-led revolution.
Shakib stated that the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year, would mark his final appearance in international cricket.
However, he said he wanted to return home for a slated two-Test series against South Africa and had asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board if he could come back.
It’s my desire, I have said this to the BCB and the selectors, said Shakib, speaking with reporters on the eve of Friday’s second Test against India in Kanpur.
They agreed with me upon my request that they were trying to organize everything possible so that I can go back to Bangladesh and play those two Test matches in Mirpur, thereby finishing my Test career there.
He concluded: “If that does not happen probably this is my last one.”
Yet, the South Africa tour commencing on October 21 is still under a cloud with the Proteas taking stock whether Bangladesh is safe enough after last month’s revolution.
I don’t want to talk much about it,” Shakib said to reporters ahead of the Friday second Test against India in Kanpur. “You all know the type of case it is, and where I was and what I was doing at that time,” he said.
This unrest that saw Hasina go faced him playing in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada.
He said that at his age, he was hoping to return home to play the swan song of his Test career against South Africa if the series went ahead.
“I am a citizen of Bangladesh, so I shouldn’t have any problem going back to Bangladesh,” he said.
“I am concerned about my safety and security in Bangladesh. My close friends and family members are worried. Hopefully, things are looking better.”
Shakib said he had already called time on his T20 career following the World Cup in June.
“I played my last match during my last game of the World Cup. We have discussed this with selectors and board,” he said.
“This is the right time for me to move on and BCB will look into some new players.”
Shakib declared that he would feature in the last few 50-over games at the Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan in February.
“I have got eight games to go in ODIs and the Champions Trophy will be last, he said. Shakib was the driving force within the Bangladesh team’s rise as serious international contenders, although most excitingly enthralling to fans due to his star turns and scandals.
He is the only player to have headed International Cricket Council all-rounder rankings in all three formats at the same time. Shakib played an integral part in his team’s historic Test series sweep in Pakistan earlier this month and went to England to play county cricket for Surrey before going to India. And he has represented Bangladesh in 70 Tests, 247 ODIs and 129 T20 matches since his international debut back in 2006.
