Shakib Wants to Retire After Playing a Full Series at Home

Shakib Al Hasan has not officially retired from any format yet. However, many believed that he might never be seen again in Bangladesh colors. But now Shakib himself has spoken about his desire to play for the country again.

Recently, in a podcast, Shakib expressed his wish to wear the national jersey once more in all three formats. “I can play one series and retire from all formats. It could start with T20s followed by ODIs and Tests, or Tests, ODIs, and T20s—anything works for me. Whatever the sequence is, I’m happy. But I want to retire after playing a full series. That is what I want. I’m hopeful of returning to play at home. That’s why I’m participating in different franchise leagues.”

Shakib wants to play his farewell series on home soil—meaning in Bangladesh. “When a player says something, they try to stick to it. Players don’t suddenly change things. No. It doesn’t matter how I play. I could even have a bad series. But I think that’s enough. It’s a good way to say goodbye to the fans who have always supported me. I want to give something back to them by playing a home series.”

Shakib further added, “I think people’s expectations make me more confident because they expect me to perform. They believe that I can deliver. That’s how I see it. Some people look at it differently.”

Recalling his debut match, Shakib said, “I wasn’t very nervous while bowling in my debut match because just a few weeks earlier I had played against Zimbabwe with the A team. But when I walked in to bat, my whole body was shaking. I felt like I wouldn’t even be able to hold the bat.”

Shakib admits he still feels nervous while batting. “I think even now I feel nervous before batting. This happens with every batter. If you ask Sachin… he has played more matches than anyone. I’m sure even in his last match he was nervous before batting. When you reach the crease, you don’t feel anything. But right before going in to bat, that nervousness kicks in.”