Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan announces retirement from T20Is ahead of Kanpur Test against India

In a press conference ahead of Bangladesh's second Test against India in Kanpur, the 37-year-old cricketer also expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket as well at the end of the home series against South Africa in Mirpur next month.

"I have expressed my desire to play my last Test in Mirpur, if that won't happen, the second Test against India would be my last. Going back to Bangladesh is not a concern, but leaving Bangladesh once I go there is dangerous,” Shakib Al Hasan said in the presser.

"It feels fitting to conclude my Test career in front of my home fans. Bangladesh cricket has given me so much, and I want to give my last in this format at home," the cricketer added.

Shakib Al Hasan, renowned for his exceptional all-round abilities, made his Test debut for Bangladesh in a high-stakes match against India in Chittagong in 2007.

Since then, Shakib has played 70 Test matches, enjoying remarkable success both with the bat and ball.

He has accumulated 4,600 runs and taken 242 wickets, maintaining a bowling average of 31.85 and a strike rate of 64.4.

Shakib has claimed 19 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls, establishing himself as a key figure in Bangladesh's bowling unit in Test cricket.

With the bat, the left-hander has proven his skill by scoring five centuries and 31 half-centuries, further solidifying his status as a top performer.

However, despite his stellar career, Shakib struggled in the first Test of the current two-match series against India.

He went wicketless on a pitch that heavily favored spin bowling, and the Indian batters handled his variations comfortably.

Additionally, he couldn’t perform with the bat, struggling against India's powerful bowling lineup.

Given his recent form and ongoing injury concerns, it seems that retirement is a likely consideration for Shakib, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise.