Shakib expressed his desire to represent the national team across all three formats.
Former Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has reversed his retirement from Tests and T20Is, expressing his desire to represent the national team across all three formats.
Shakib, who has been away from international cricket for over a year, called time on his Test and T20I careers last year.
"I am officially not retired from all formats. This is the first time I'll be revealing that. My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test, and T20, and retire," Shakib said on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, which features Moeen Ali, as per ESPNcricinfo.
"I mean, [I can] retire from all formats in a series. So it can start from T20I, ODI and Test, or Test, ODI, T20I. Either way, I'm fine, but I want to play a whole series and retire. That's what I want," he added.
The 38-year-old has not returned to Bangladesh ever since the overthrowing of Awami League government on August 5, 2024.
Notably, Shakib – a former MP of Awami League – was among 147 people against whom charges had been filed in connection with an alleged murder during the protests in Bangladesh last year. He subsequently played Test matches in Pakistan and India, but decided against returning to his homeland.
The veteran all-rounder is currently living in exile, participating in various franchise T20 leagues overseas. When asked whether he will return to Bangladesh, Shakib said, "I am hopeful. That's why I'm playing [T20 leagues]. I think it will happen."
Shakib Al Hasan said he wants to play a home series as a respectful farewell to fans, irrespective of his performance.
"I think when a player says something, they try to stick to their words. They normally don't change it all of a sudden. It doesn't matter if I play well or not. I might play a bad series after that, if I want to play. But I don't need to do that. I think this is enough. It's just a nicer way to say bye to the fans that they supported me always, give something back to them, playing a home series," he concluded.