Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan expressed his desire to play another World Cup for the country after the completion of the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
Before leaving the country for the 2023 50-over World Cup in India, Shakib said the Champions Trophy in 2025 is going to be his last major International Cricket Council tournament.
In that regard, the 2024 T20 World Cup is supposed to be Shakib's last world event.
But Shakib, who has been part of all the previous T20 World Cup editions, said representing the country in the 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 “The Green Red Story”.
"Me and Rohit Sharma are probably the only two players who have played in all T20 World Cups. 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 previous T20 World Cup,” he said.
Since Shakib’s family permanently lives in the United States, the co-host of the T20 World Cup, the country is considered his second home.
So it is expected that he will get home advantage in USA too.
“My second home is fine. But it is difficult to say whether I will get home advantage or not. But I think I will. We have played in both the West Indies and 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,” he said.
With the ball, Shakib has taken 47 wickets at an average of 18.63 in 35 innings.
His economy (6.78) has also been excellent.
There is no one around Shakib in the list of highest wicket-takers in T20 World Cup.
But Shakib wants to contribute for 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 for Bangladesh. I hope I will do something good for Bangladesh in this T20 World Cup,” said Shakib.