Shakib’s future in Cricket: Retirement almost certain, to be revealed within a week

Shakib Al Hasan, one of Bangladesh‍‍`s most celebrated cricketers, has been out of the national team since October but his absence goes beyond just cricket. 

Since the political unrest on August 5, Shakib has not set foot back in Bangladesh. 

While he was included in the Chittagong Kings squad for the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), his participation has been blocked, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering about his future.

Despite being away from the field, Shakib remains a regular feature in the headlines. Just last Friday, during a press briefing in Mirpur, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruk Ahmed expressed his hopes of seeing Shakib return to the national team. 

However, whether these hopes will become a reality is something we will soon find out, as the decision is expected within a week. Specifically, by January 12, we will know for sure whether Shakib’s days in international cricket are over.

So why is January 12 so crucial? That’s the deadline for submitting the preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE. 

Even after this date, teams can make changes to their squad until February 13, when the final squad will be confirmed. 

This means the next few days will be pivotal in determining Shakib’s future.

It’s important to note that Shakib has already bid farewell to international T20 cricket. 

Last September, just before the Kanpur Test during Bangladesh’s tour of India, Shakib announced that the T20 World Cup would be his last match in the T20 format. 

Alongside that, he also confirmed his retirement from Test cricket, signaling the end of his red-ball career. 

The 37-year-old all-rounder had hoped to play his final Test against South Africa on home soil in October, but that plan was disrupted by unforeseen circumstances.

Shakib’s retirement from cricket, however, hasn’t been as smooth as he envisioned. After the political changes in August, Shakib found himself embroiled in legal issues, along with other former Awami League members. 

This not only created uncertainty about his return to Bangladesh but even led to a situation where he had to turn back mid-flight on his way home.

His political involvement, rather than focusing solely on his cricket career, has raised questions about his priorities.

Shakib’s absence from the national team has left many wondering whether his time with the national squad is truly over. 

While he has retired from T20 and Test cricket, Shakib has not yet announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals (ODIs). 

Despite his prolonged silence on the political situation and the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh, Shakib has indicated that he still wishes to participate in the Champions Trophy. 

He seems keen to add yet another milestone to his already legendary career, but his recent silence and the political baggage he carries have left many fans and commentators disappointed.

The deadline for submitting the ICC Champions Trophy preliminary squad is just around the corner, and this will give us a clearer picture of Shakib’s future. 

If Shakib is not included by January 12, it will confirm what many have suspected—that his international career is effectively over. 

His last ODI appearance would then remain that game against Sri Lanka during the 2023 World Cup.

However, if he does make the Champions Trophy squad, this tournament could mark his last appearance in Bangladesh‍‍`s national jersey. 

Regardless of whether he gets the call-up or not, the fact remains that Shakib’s cricket career is nearing its end. 

The uncertainty surrounding his future, coupled with his politically-charged absence from Bangladesh, only adds to the growing disappointment surrounding his lack of involvement during crucial times for the country.

Whether Shakib returns to the national team or not, one thing is certain—his legacy will always be tied to both his cricketing prowess and the missed opportunities during a critical time in Bangladesh’s political landscape.