🔥 “I Am Officially Not Retired From All Formats” — Shakib Al Hasan’s Stunning U-Turn, Political Storm, and Final Goodbye Dream 🏏💔
Cricket is no stranger to dramatic comebacks. Legends have returned from injury, heartbreak, scandals, suspensions, and even retirement. But Shakib Al Hasan’s latest declaration — reversing his retirement from Tests and T20Is — is not just a sporting decision. It is a story deeply entangled with politics, national unrest, unfinished legacies, emotional farewells, and a fanbase that has been waiting in silence.
On the Beard Before Wicket podcast with Moeen Ali, Shakib dropped a bombshell that immediately sent shockwaves through the cricketing world:
“I am officially not retired from all formats.”
With those few words, one of the most complicated chapters in Bangladesh cricket reopened. But this was not a dramatic comeback tour announcement driven by trophies or world cups. Instead, Shakib revealed something far more emotional:
He wants to return to Bangladesh, play one full series across all three formats — Test, ODI, and T20I — and then retire forever.
This is not just a sporting decision. This is a farewell loaded with emotion, controversy, danger, and destiny.
🌟 Shakib Al Hasan — The Man, The Myth, The Institution
Before diving into his retirement reversal, we must understand what Shakib Al Hasan truly represents to Bangladesh cricket.
Shakib is:
✅ The greatest all-rounder in Bangladesh’s history
✅ One of the top five all-rounders in world cricket across all formats
✅ A former No.1 ranked ICC all-rounder for nearly a decade
✅ A man who carried Bangladesh’s batting and bowling single-handedly for years
✅ A World Cup warrior
✅ A serial match-winner
✅ A polarizing personality
✅ And now, a controversial political figure
His career is not just about runs and wickets. It is about responsibility, rebellion, brilliance, and burden.
🕰️ When Shakib Originally Retired — And Why
In September last year, ahead of the Kanpur Test against India, Shakib made two massive announcements:
⚠️ He would no longer play T20Is
⚠️ He wanted his last Test to be played in Bangladesh against South Africa
At that time, his words felt final. Fans around the world believed they were witnessing the slow closing of a historic career.
But fate had other plans.
🚧 Political Turmoil: The Factor That Changed Everything
Shakib’s retirement cannot be discussed without mentioning Bangladesh’s political turmoil.
In August 2024, the Awami League government was overthrown after massive student-led protests. Hundreds lost their lives. The country changed overnight.
Shakib, who had recently been elected as an MP from Magura, suddenly found himself at the center of a political storm.
🔴 The Alleged FIR Case
An FIR was lodged against Shakib in connection with an alleged murder case, even though he was not in Bangladesh at the time. The case caused national outrage and placed his personal safety at risk.
❌ BCB Drops Shakib
Due to security concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) dropped Shakib from the home Test series against South Africa, fearing they could not guarantee his safe exit from the country.
🏟️ Stadium Protests
Ahead of the South Africa series, protests erupted around the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, targeting Shakib for his silence during the deadly student protests.
💬 Public Apology
Shakib eventually issued an apology for remaining silent, but public opinion remained deeply divided.
🏏 The Last International Match — A Quiet Goodbye in Kanpur
Shakib’s last official international appearance came against India in Kanpur. There was no grand farewell. No packed stadium farewell ceremony. No guard of honor. No emotional goodbyes.
Just… silence.
For a player of Shakib’s stature, this felt brutally incomplete.
🎙️ The Podcast That Changed Everything
When Shakib appeared on Beard Before Wicket, fans expected casual conversation. Instead, they witnessed a life-changing revelation.
“My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test, and T20, and retire.”
He further added:
“The format order doesn’t matter — T20I, ODI, Test or Test, ODI, T20I. I just want one full series and then I’m done.”
This was not about prolonging his career.
This was about saying goodbye the right way.
💖 “I Want to Give Something Back to the Fans”
Shakib made it very clear:
He is not chasing stats.
He is not chasing rankings.
He is not chasing trophies.
He only wants to play one final home series to thank the fans.
“It doesn’t matter if I play well or not. I just want to give something back to the fans.”
For a man often criticized for being emotionally distant, this was a rare vulnerable moment.
🕊️ A Safe Return? The Biggest Question Still Unanswered
While Shakib wants to return, the most critical question is:
❓ Is it actually safe for him to return to Bangladesh?
As of now:
✅ BCB officials have said he is welcome to return
❌ Political leaders have issued conflicting statements
❌ His former political affiliation remains controversial
❌ His legal status remains uncertain
Shakib himself admitted:
“I am hopeful. That’s why I’m playing T20 leagues.”
He is preparing — physically and mentally — for a return that is still dangerously uncertain.
🔥 Shakib’s Ongoing Political Ambitions
Shakib also made another explosive confession:
“I have done my cricketing part. Maybe political side is left.”
This confirms what many suspected:
⚠️ Shakib is not done with politics
⚠️ His political ambitions are still alive
⚠️ His legacy may not end on a cricket field alone
Whether fans accept that or not remains deeply divided.
🏆 A Career That Deserves a Proper Farewell
Let’s look at why Shakib deserves the farewell he is seeking.
🔢 Career Highlights (Across Formats)
- 600+ international wickets
- 14,000+ international runs
- ICC No.1 all-rounder multiple times
- World Cup MVP-level performances
- Captaincy stints across formats
- Test hundreds and five-wicket hauls
- Match-winning performances on every continent
Few players in world cricket history can match this balance of longevity, consistency, and impact.
🇧🇩 What His Final Series Could Mean for Bangladesh Cricket
If Shakib successfully returns to Bangladesh and plays one final series:
✅ It becomes the biggest farewell tour in Bangladesh history
✅ Young players gain one last masterclass crash course
✅ Fans finally get closure
✅ The nation experiences collective healing
✅ His story ends on Bangladeshi soil — where it belongs
🤕 The Emotional Weight of an Unfinished Goodbye
Shakib’s unfinished farewell is the emotional core of this story.
No packed Mirpur stadium.
No farewell Test at home.
No final standing ovation.
No official retirement ceremony.
For a man who carried an entire cricketing nation on his shoulders for two decades — this ending simply did not feel right.
And maybe that is why he came back.
🌍 The Global Reaction: Respect, Shock & Caution
When his statement broke:
✅ Former cricketers praised his honesty
✅ Fans celebrated the possibility of a farewell
✅ Analysts warned about political dangers
✅ Critics questioned his political motivations
The reaction was as divided as Shakib’s own career.
⚔️ Legacy at Stake: Hero, Villain, or Both?
Shakib’s legacy has always been complex:
✅ A national hero
✅ A fierce competitor
✅ A controversial leader
✅ Now, a political figure
His final chapter will define how history judges him.
If he returns safely and retires on home soil — he becomes immortalized as a flawed hero who came full circle.
If politics blocks his return again — he may retire as the greatest cricketer who never got his goodbye.
🔚 The Final Chapter Is Being Written — Not Closed
For now, Shakib is:
✅ Not officially retired
✅ Actively playing franchise cricket
✅ Preparing physically
✅ Hoping politically
✅ Waiting emotionally
His journey is still incomplete.
🏏 The Cricketory Verdict
Shakib Al Hasan’s retirement reversal is not about cricket alone.
It is about:
- Redemption
- Closure
- Risk
- Politics
- Legacy
- Fans
- Home
- And identity
This is not just the story of a cricketer delaying retirement.
This is the story of a man fighting for his final goodbye.
✅ 6 FAQs
❓ 1. Why did Shakib Al Hasan reverse his retirement?
A: Shakib reversed his retirement to play one final full series across Test, ODI, and T20I formats in Bangladesh as a farewell gift to his fans.
❓ 2. Is Shakib Al Hasan officially back in international cricket?
A: Yes, Shakib confirmed that he is officially not retired and is preparing physically through T20 leagues for a possible return.
❓ 3. Why was Shakib dropped earlier despite wanting a farewell Test?
A: Due to political unrest, stadium protests, safety concerns, and legal complications, BCB could not guarantee Shakib’s safe exit from Bangladesh.
❓ 4. Will Shakib play for Bangladesh again?
A: BCB officials have stated he is welcome, but political clearance and security approval remain the biggest hurdles.
❓ 5. What political role does Shakib currently hold?
A: Shakib was elected as an MP from Magura in January 2024 and has confirmed he is still interested in continuing his political career.
❓ 6. What would Shakib’s final series mean for Bangladesh cricket?
A: It would be the biggest farewell series in Bangladesh history, offering closure to fans and inspiration to the next generation.
📌 Key Takeaways
- Shakib Al Hasan reverses Test & T20I retirement
- Wants one final home series across all formats
- Political unrest blocked earlier farewell
- FIR case & safety concerns remain unresolved
- BCB welcomes return
- Shakib still has political ambitions
- Fans desperate for proper goodbye
🏁 Final Words: A Nation Waiting for One Last Roar 🇧🇩🔥
Whether Shakib’s final match is played in Mirpur or remains lost in memory, one truth is unquestionable:
Bangladesh cricket will never produce another Shakib Al Hasan.
And the nation still waits…
For one last series.
For one last spell.
For one last roar.
For one last goodbye.