End of An Era: The Troubling Finish to Shakib Al Hasan's Career

The unexpected end to Shakib Al Hasan's cricketing career has left fans and analysts brimming with questions. A key figure in Bangladesh cricket, Shakib's ambition seemed to backfire, leading instead to controversy.

In recent times, Shakib expressed a desire to play his last Test at home, subject to security clearance. Unfortunately, this turned out to be unattainable, as concerns about his security arose, effectively closing off his Test career at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Off-field controversies seemed to follow Shakib throughout his career, further contributing to his embattled relationship with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Instances of rule violations, the reluctance to report corrupt approaches, and outbursts in domestic cricket all contributed to this dynamic.

Over time, Shakib's focus had drifted to other areas such as business interests and ammunition for a political career. These ambitions appeared to come with a cost, ultimately contributing to the downfall of his cricketing career.

Shakib's on-field performance, typically reliable, began to falter in his last year. After known issues with his eyesight, his batting was noticeably worse, and statistics didn't lie. Over his last four Tests, Shakib averaged a mere 24.33 compared to his career average of 38.33. His bowling skills, too, declined in this period, leading to significant performance concerns in all formats.

Additional off-field issues, including bouts with fitness and a public feud with Tamim Iqbal, further tainted Shakib's reputation. The unraveling of these issues led to an undeniably controversial end to Shakib's career, a bitter twist for a player once celebrated for his exceptional cricketing prowess.