Shakib has been at the heart of our national pride. He also has been someone who has hurt our feelings.

Two boys about the same age were walking down the adjacent streets of the Green Park stadium in Kanpur after the first day’s play between hosts India and Bangladesh was washed out today.

English daily The Indian Express had Shakib in its second lead in a three-column write-up, headlined: “Shakib says Kanpur Test could be his last”.

The news of premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s retirement plans came as a bolt from the blue for his childhood coach Mohammad Salahuddin, who had no prior knowledge of his best student’s decision before the Bangladesh cricketer himself officially announced during a press meet in Kanpur yesterday.

Shakib Al Hasan, a name that has been synonymous with the Bangladesh cricket team in all three formats for almost 18 years, called time on his T20I career yesterday at a press conference in Kanpur ahead of today’s second and final Test against hosts India, pulling down the curtain on an illustrious international career in the shortest format.

Bangladesh’s challenge in the second Test in Kanpur may just have gotten a little spicier after ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan came in the press conference and announced that his Test career is coming to an end in the home Test series against South Africa in October-November.

In a surprising move, Bangladesh’s all-time greatest cricketer, Shakib Al Hasan, revealed his retirement plans during a 21-minute press conference held in Kanpur yesterday, ahead of the series-deciding second Test against hosts India. While it is customary for captains to attend the pre-match press conference on the eve of the fixture, Shakib’s appearance -- after a long absence, particularly since the T20 World Cup -- sparked curiosity among the Bangladeshi journalists covering the series. In the first half, Shakib responded to questions from Indian journalists, who mainly focused on the Test series, but once the first Bangladeshi journalist posed a question, the atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming noticeably more animated. Following are the excerpts from the second half of the presser:

Shakib Al Hasan came, he saw, and he conquered, in his own way.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed said that the board is incapable of doing anything regarding premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s safety concerns when and if he arrives in the country.

In a bombshell press conference on Thursday, Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan said that he had informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that the upcoming South Africa Test series at home in October-November will be the last Test series of his career.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan expressed his concern over his safety and a safe exit from the country in case he is allowed to play in the two-match Test series at home against South Africa next month.

Shakib Al Hasan revealed his retirement plans today, saying he will play his last Test series in October-November and that he will only return to T20Is only if the board deems him fit

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan appears to be available to play the second and final Test in Kanpur, beginning tomorrow, despite widespread speculation regarding the condition of his fingers and whether he might play solely as a batter due to ongoing discomfort.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) yesterday fined cricketer Shakib Al Hasan Tk 50 lakh for manipulating the share price of Paramount Insurance in 2023.

The only reason behind this question is that a murder case had been filed against Shakib over the death of a garment worker during the mass protest on 5 August.

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan had suffered a finger issue which did not allow him to bowl much in the Chennai Test where Bangladesh suffered a 280-run loss.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto today said that it was his decision not to use Shakib a lot, simply as the wicket favoured the pacers more during the first three days.

Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan appears to be suffering from a finger issue and has been bowling less than usual as a result of it in the ongoing Test match against India in Chennai.

Shakib Al Hasan became the oldest Bangladeshi cricketer ever to feature in a Test when the premier all-rounder stepped onto the field on Day 3 of the Tigers' first Test against India in Chennai today.

The palette has been served, and now it is up to Bangladesh to make their case.