All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has reversed his retirement from Tests and T20 internationals, saying that he wishes to play an all-format series before hanging up the boots on his storied international career. Shakib, who had not announced One-Day International retirement, has said that playing a series with all formats for Bangladesh will be the best way to say goodbye to his fans back home.

The 38-year-old, however, last played an international encounter more than a year ago, which came in a red-ball game against India in Kanpur. On the other hand, his last ODI also came on the Indian soil more than two years ago during the 2023 World Cup.

Lastly, his most-recent T20I outing also dates back to roughly a year-and-a-half, as he represented the Bangla Tigers during the 2024 World Cup in West Indies.

"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. 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," Shakib said on Beard Before Wicket podcast.

Furthermore, the star cricketer went on to say that the decision to get himself unretired is not because he desires to make a comeback to international cricket for a longer term, but only to give something back to his fans. The 38-year-old cricketer, who is still active in T20 leagues around the globe, feels that the only way to appease his fans is by playing a series at home.

"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," Shakib said.

Shakib is currently engaged playing in the International League T20 2025-26 in the UAE, where he is representing the MI Emirates. He last played a game on Sunday, as his side faced the Sharjah Warriorz.

The southpaw's cameo of 16 runs proved to be crucial, as the Emirates won the last-over thriller by four runs to register their first victory of the season.