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Shakib Al Hasan's Test Career: Bangladesh All-Rounder's Test Journey In A Nutshell

Shakib Al Hasan in action [PTI] Shakib Al Hasan in action [PTI]

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh all-rounder announced his Test and T20I retirement on Thursday, sending shockwaves to the cricketing fraternity. He had a mediocre first Test against India in Chennai, and was doubtful for the second Test due to an injury. The retirement was out of question, but Shakib dropped the bombshell in the press conference.

The all-rounder was one of the pillars of Bangladesh cricket, helping them to become one of the most promising teams in recent years. Alongside other Bangladeshi players, he laid the foundation for a successful team, as the Tigers, despite not winning any ICC trophies, achieved moderate success in white-ball cricket.

Shakib Al Hasan's early years of success

He made his Bangladesh debut in 2006, and at that point of time, the team lacked a quality all-rounder, which they eventually found in Shakib. In his debut game, Shakib scored a crucial 30 runs and helped his side win the ODI match against Zimbabwe.

From there on, he didn't look back and achieved success in early years. The all-rounders' breakout tournament came in the 2007 World Cup, where the Tigers shocked India in the group stage to proceed to the knockouts.

With the bat, he scored 202 runs in 9 matches, and picked up 7 wickets to seal a memorable campaign, not only for him, but for his nation as well.

Shakib Al Hasan: Journey to Become the great all-rounder

His breakout moment in Tests came against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2008 where he picked up 7 wickets for 36 runs, the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler at that time. Despite Bangladesh's failure in Tests, Shakib consistently delivered in the game's longest format and was the team's best player.

In 2010, Bangladesh travelled to New Zealand, and this was the first time that Shakib breached the 100-run mark in Tests. In a game at Seddon Park, Hamilton, Shakib scored a brilliant 100 and took the world by storm.

Almost 1.5 years later, Pakistan toured Bangladesh for Test matches, and Shakib scored his 2nd Test century to rattle the Pakistan side. However, despite playing as an all-rounder in Tests, Shakib's best moment in Test cricket came in 2017, when the Australian side visited Bangladesh.

In the first Test in Dhaka, Shakib showed his magic with the ball and picked up a 5-wicket haul against a strong Aussie side in the first innings. He returned back to haunt the Aussies once again as he scalped yet another fifer in the second innings to seal Bangladesh's first-ever Test triumph against Australia.

Shakib Al Hasan's Test Career: His Downfall after 2020

Injuries kept Shakib Al Hasan out of the Test side for a while, and when he played the effectiveness was missing from his bowling. His only memorable performance in Tests came against India in 2022 at home, when he picked up a 5-wicket haul in Mirpur to almost clinch Bangladesh's first-ever Test win Vs India.

In the ongoing series against India, he again failed to deliver in the first Test match, as Bangladesh lost the game by 280-runs, to go 1-0 behind in the series.