Named In Murder Case In Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan Concerned About Safety After Announcing Retirement Plans

Shakib Al Hasan, arguably the greatest Bangladesh cricketer, on Thursday stunned all by announcng his retirement from T20 Internationals with immediate effect. He also said said that the second Test against India will be his last if his country's board doesn't give him a farewell match against South Africa at home. His final international game for Bangladesh will be in the Champions Trophy which is likely to be held in UAE and Pakistan. 

Shakib, who was named in a murder case after the anti-discrimination protests in Bangladesh, raised concerns over his safety.

The 37-year-old great, who featured in 129 T20Is for Bangladesh will, however, continue to play in franchise leagues.

"I have played my last T20 match in T20 World Cup. We have discussed this with the selectors. Looking at the 2026 World Cup, this is the right time for me to move out. Hopefully, BCB will find some great players and we will perform well," said Shakib on the eve of the second and final Test against India here.

Shakib, who has played 70 Tests, scoring 4600 runs and taking 242 wickets might just play his last Test in the North Indian industrial town in case the cricket board can't assure him of his security after being accused of murder although he wasn't even in the country at that time.

"I am available for the South Africa series but since there's a lot happening back home, naturally not everything depends on me. I have discussed my plans about Test cricket with the BCB. Especially this series and the home series. I was thinking that it could be my last Test series," he was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

"I have told [BCB president] Faruque [Ahmed] bhai and the selectors. If there's a chance and if I can play, my last Test will be in Mirpur. The