Shakib Al Hasan reassessing Test future, labels playing three formats "close to impossible"

The 34-year-old allrounder has made 59 Test appearances for Bangladesh but has made himself unavailable for January's tour of New Zealand

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Shakib Al Hasan has thrown his Test future into doubt after stating it is "close to impossible" to play in all three formats.

Speaking to Bangladeshi TV station NTV, the 34-year-old was quick to rule out Test retirement, even admitting to considering dropping T20Is from his international commitments, but also said he may avoid playing ODIs which do not form part of the Cricket World Cup Super League.

The allrounder has made 59 Test appearances for Bangladesh since making his debut in 2007, scoring 4029 runs and taking 215 wickets.

However, since the 2017 tour of South Africa, he has skipped several red-ball series. In 2021, he has played just three of Bangladesh’s seven Test matches, missing two through injury and two due to IPL commitments, while he has also made himself unavailable for the national side’s upcoming tour of New Zealand in January 2022, citing family reasons.

"I know which format to five importance or preference," Shakib said. "The time has come for me to think about Test cricket. This is the fact: whether I will play Tests or not. And even if I do, how I will play the format. I also need to consider if I need to participate in ODIs where no points are at stake. I don't have any other option.

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Shakib Al Hasan (centre) has made 59 Test appearances for Bangladesh [Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]

"I am not saying I will retire from Tests. It might even happen that I stop playing T20Is after the 2022 T20 World Cup. I can play Tests and ODIs. But playing three formats is almost close to impossible. Playing two Tests in 40-42 days is not fruitful. It encourages one to play selectively.

"I will definitely plan well with BCB, and then go forward. It will be the smart thing to do. If it happens in January, I will know what I am doing for the rest of the year."

Shakib also commented on the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and his negative experiences of bio-bubble environments which have contributed to his decision to reassess his international future.

"It was like life in a jail. It is not like the players roam around a lot during a series. But when you will know it mentally that you can't go out even if you want to, that's where the problem lies," he said.

"New Zealand didn't even send their Under-19 team to the World Cup, thinking about mental health. Coronavirus isn't going away easily. We have to find out a new way to survive this. I don't think bio-bubble and quarantine is the best way.

"When you can't meet your three little kids regularly, it becomes an unhealthy situation. It affects their growing up."

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