Bangladesh’s premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement from T20Is on Thursday ahead of his team’s second Test against India at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.
Shakib also cleared the air surrounding his international cricket future while a return to his home country remains under a cloud after the recent political unrest and his alleged involvement in a murder case in Dhaka in August.
Here are the key points from Shakib Al Hasan’s press-conference ahead of the India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test in Kanpur:
Q. Mental block against India
We have won against them in the ODI series, we almost won a Test against them last time they visited in Bangladesh. We played in patches in Chennai, we are a better team than that.
Q. On Pakistan
Pakistan is relatively inexperienced in Test cricket. It is a massive thing, talking about India they are the number one side and unbeatable in India. Any team visiting India faces a lot of difficulties.
Q. Shakib on charges and allegations, coming back
The situation back home has changed and we only focus on bettering ourselves on the field.
Q. On the Kanpur pitch
They have quality pacers and batters. I don’t think pitch plays a major role. We just have to do better this time.
Shakib after dropping a bombshell in the press conference. pic.twitter.com/hzwxKq5dtw
— Pratyush Raj (@pratyush93_raj) September 26, 2024
Q. Advise to young batters against Indian bowlers
There was an improvement in the batting especially in the second innings. I hope that if we score around 350-400 then it will be a massive improvement.
Q. On his batting in Chennai
That was the best ever I have felt in the past six months. I enjoyed my batting.
Q. Tests against South Africa
At home, we feel that we are a formidable side and feel that we can beat any side. So, we are ready for it.
Q.Tour to India, is it the toughest assignment?
When you come to India, you hardly see them losing, So yes it is tough to tour India.
Q. On playing against India
Whenever you play against India or any other big team you have to do well and that’s what I keep in mind.
Q. On retirement
I desire to retire after the South Africa series. Most likely the Test match in Mirpur, if everything goes to plan. If it doesn’t, this Test will be my last.
Q. On T20I cricket
I feel that I have already played my last T20I game during the World Cup. I had discussed my future with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and I think looking at the 2026 T20WC, it is the right time to move on for everyone. I have no regrets in taking this decision.
