Just In: Shakib Al Hasan Announces Retirement From Test Cricket


Shakib Al Hasan confirms Test retirement [PTI]Shakib Al Hasan confirms Test retirement [PTI]

In a significant development, legendary all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has announced his retirement from Test cricket. The talismanic cricketer will bid adieu to the purest format after Bangladesh's upcoming Test match against South Africa in Mirpur. The southpaw has been a valuable asset for Bangladesh, establishing himself as one of the biggest match-winners across formats. In a press conference ahead of the second Test against India, Shakib also confirmed his T20I retirement. 

Shakib Al Hasan's Test Career At A Glance

Renowned for his incredible all-round prowess, Shakib Al Hasan made his Test debut in Bangladesh's high-voltage face-off against India at Chattogram back in 2007. The 37-year-old has represented the Tigers in 70 Tests, enjoying stellar success with bat and ball

Besides scoring 4600 runs, Shakib has scalped 242 wickets at an average of 31.85 and a strike rate of 64.4. He has registered nineteen five-wicket hauls and two ten-fers, emerging as the linchpin of Bangladesh's bowling attack in the purest format. 

The stylish left-handed batter has also struck five centuries and 31 fifties in Tests, proving his mettle with the willow countless times. Shakib Al Hasan is unarguably Bangladesh's greatest-ever player and has left a legacy to inspire the next-gen cricketers from the Asian nation. 

Shakib Al Hasan's Recent Test Performance Vs India

Despite being one of the most prolific cricketers from his country, Shakib Al Hasan failed to make his mark in the first Test of the ongoing two-match series against India. The experienced player went wicketless on a surface that offered significant assistance to the spinners. 

While the Indian batters tackled his variations easily, Shakib found it tough to get going against the hosts' formidable bowling attack, letting Bangladesh down with his successive modest outings. So, considering his recent form and injury setbacks, Shakib's retirement was on the cards and shouldn't be surprising at all.