, April 7 -- Former Bangladesh cricket captain and ex-lawmaker Shakib Al Hasan announced he is shifting his entire focus back to cricket, expressing a strong desire to conclude his international career representing the national team.

The veteran all-rounder, who has been excluded from the national squad since the Awami League government collapsed in August, 2024, clarified his position in a statement posted to his verified Facebook page on Monday.

He acknowledged that while politics remains a crucial vehicle for national development, his immediate priority is delivering peak performances on the pitch.

"At this late stage of my career, I want to give my absolute best for the Bangladesh national team," Shakib wrote. He added that while h...