Bangladesh ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan expressed his desire to play another World Cup for the country after the completion of the forthcoming T20 World Cup.
Before leaving the country for the 2023 World Cup held in India, Shakib Al Hasan said that the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 is going to be his last ICC tournament. So the 2024 T20 World Cup is supposed to be Shakib's last World Cup.
But Shakib, who has been part of the T20 World Cup, said that representing the country in a tournament like the World Cup means a lot to him.
“I have been able to participate in all the T20 World Cups since its inception. It is a matter of pride and joy for me. At the same time, as I am representing the country, it means a lot to me,” Shakib said in Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) 'The Green Red Story'.
"Me and Rohit Sharma are probably the only two players who have played in all T20 World Cup. Hope to play one more World Cup. Before that, I think the performance in this World Cup should be up to the mark. May Bangladesh get a better result than any other T20 World Cup” he expressed.
Since Shakib’s family permanently lives in the USA, the co-host of the T20 World Cup, the country is considered a second home. So it is expected that he will get the home advantage in the USA too.
“My second home is fine. But it is difficult to say whether I will get the home advantage or not. But I think I will. We have played in both the West Indies and the USA. Earlier when we played in Florida, Bangladesh did well. In the West Indies, we always get the advantage. Because pitches are very much like what we get in Bangladesh. So I hope we will get advantages from both places.”
Shakib, who has played in all T20 World Cups has taken 47 wickets at an average of 18.63 in 35 innings of 36 matches with the ball. The economy (6.78) also has been excellent. There is no one around Shakib in the list of highest wicket-takers in the T20 World Cup.
But Shakib wants to contribute to the country more.
"I don't want to see anything like highest wicket-taker or anything next to my name. I want only one thing to contribute to Bangladesh. I hope I will do something good for Bangladesh in this World Cup.”
