Shakib Al Hasan set to retire from Test cricket after home series against South Africa: Reports

Bangladeshi legend Shakib Al Hasan is set to call time on his Test career after the Mirpur Test against South Africa. The 37-year-old is currently in India with his side for the two-match series. The former Bangladeshi skipper’s fitness has come under a huge cloud ahead of the 2nd game in Kanpur starting on Friday. 

After the series against India is completed, Bangladesh will take on South Africa in a two match series. The former skipper has also called time on his T20I career which has spanned for over 18-years. 

Shakib Al Hasan scored 25 in the first innings of Chennai Test followed by 32 in the 2nd innings. With the ball the left-arm spinner didn’t pick a wicket as he was taken to the cleaners by Indian batters. 

Will Shakib Al Hasan play 2nd Test in Kanpur?

David Hemp who is with the Bangladeshi as their batting coach made a huge statement ahead of the 2nd Test. When asked if Shakib will play the Kanpur game, Hemp said, “I haven't heard anything officially or any complaints. There is no doubt about that at the moment. I haven't heard from my physio or from anyone. He's still eligible for selection."

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurisinghe speaking to the media ahead of the game said, “Whether we're able to do that in the middle. We have our KPIs, what we want, and we normally talk about if you make a start, make it big. That's the biggest concern, because some of the guys got 30 balls and got out. In cricket, it's the hardest thing to get in. But then, this team, India, has been posing different challenges, so we know that as well. So we have to be better for longer."

Already considered as an icon, Shakib played 70 test matches so far and scored 4600 runs. He has hit 5 centuries with a best of 219 along with 31 fifties with an average of 38. The 37-year-old has also picked 242 wickets with a best of 7/36 with 19 fifers and 2 ten wickets in a game. His Test debut came in 2006 against India in 2007 where he scored 27 with the bat and went wicketless as the game ended in a draw.