DHAKA, Nov 21, 2024 (BSS)-Shakib Al Hasan will think about his return to ODI 
cricket for Bangladesh national team after the completion of Abu Dhabi T10 
tournament. 

The allrounder will be leading Bangla Tigers in the tournament which kicked 
off today.

"I will think about it (ODI return) after this tournament," the allrounder 
answered with a cheeky smile during a captains' press conference in Abu Dhabi 
yesterday when he was asked about his ODI return for Bangladesh again.

Shakib's Bangla Tigers will take on Samp Army in their first match. The final 
of the tournament will take place on 2 December. 

Shakib's Test career seemed to have ended abruptly after he was not available 
for the South Africa Test at home, due to fear of public backlash for his 
political involvement with the Awami League Government, which was ousted amid 
a student-led mass uprising.

Earlier during the Kanpur Test in India, he said that if he is not able to 
play the South Africa Test at home, the Kanpur Test will be his last.

He also announced his retirement from the T20 cricket but expressed his 
desire to continue the ODI format till the 2025 Champions Trophy. He, 
however, was not available in Afghanistan ODI series.

Shakib played his last ODI against Sri Lanka during 2023 World Cup in India.

Bangladesh are currently in West Indies for a full bilateral series that 
includes all three formats of cricket.

While the team gear up for the Test series at this moment, the three-match 
ODI series will begin on December 8. Bangladesh in fact have no ODI series 
scheduled before the Champions Trophy apart from these three ODIs against 
West Indies.

So it looked imperative for Shakib to play these three ODIs if he wants to 
make him available for the Champions Trophy.

While Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to clear the air regarding his 
participation in ODI series in West Indies series or Champions Trophy, Shakib 
also remained tightlipped. 

"All focus on this tournament (at this moment)," Shakib said when his 
attention was drawn about his plans for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

But he spoke elaborately on Bangla Tigers' ambition for the Abu Dhabi T10 
tournament.

"The plan for the tournament is up in the sleeve, we can't reveal it 
publicly," he said, adding that the goal of his team is to clinch the trophy.

"All the teams are really strong here and they will try to be champions. We 
have the same goal as well. We'll try our best. I think we have a well-
balanced side."