Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has suggested he might participate in the next World Cup, set to be hosted by India in 2026. There had been speculation that the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup could be Shakib’s last ICC event. Shakib and Rohit Sharma are the only players to have featured in every ICC T20 World Cup to date, with Shakib holding the record for the most wickets in the tournament’s history.
Shakib expressed pride in his career and hinted at continuing his international journey. “I didn’t expect to play for so long,” Shakib said in a video on the BCB’s Facebook page. “Rohit Sharma and I are the only players to have played in all the T20 World Cups. I hope to play another World Cup and perform well.”
Shakib, who spends much of his time in the USA where his family lives, expects Bangladesh to perform well in the tournament, citing similar pitch conditions to those back home. “We did well when we played in West Indies and America. The pitches there are similar to ours,” he added.
He also emphasized the importance of a balanced competition between bat and ball in the T20 World Cup. “There should be a fair competition between bat and ball. World Cups usually ensure that, and I expect the same this time,” Shakib noted.
Apart from cricket, Shakib spoke about the challenges of his role as a Member of Parliament in Bangladesh. “Being an MP is more difficult than playing cricket because politics is new to me,” he admitted.
Shakib is hopeful for strong support from Bangladeshi fans during the World Cup. “There will be a lot of Bangladeshi fans, and their support will help us achieve good results,” he said. “I just want to contribute to the Bangladesh team and do well in this World Cup.”
