Shock As Raqibul Hasan Announces Retirement

Shock As Raqibul Hasan Announces Retirement

Jamie Siddons (left) was reportedly unable to convince Raqibul (right) that he had a future in the game.

©REUTERS/Andrew Biraj (BANGLADESH - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

22-year-old Bangladesh batsman Raqibul Hasan has announced his immediate retirement from the game, just two days before he was expected to start the first Test against England in Chittagong.

Raqibul, the only Bangladeshi to score a triple-century in first-class cricket, scored an unbeaten century and a half-century for Bangladesh A against the touring English side and was tipped to replace the discarded Mohammad Ashraful in Bangladesh's Test line-up.

"He wrote a letter to us this morning, withdrawing himself from the Test series against England. He also announced his retirement from all forms of cricket," Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Jalal Yunus told news agency AFP.

"It has stunned us. He is a brilliant cricketer and played two superb knocks against England just days back. Coach Jamie Siddons and Raqibul's parents tried to change his mind. But he is adamant."

Bangladeshi media claimed that the meeting lasted for four hours and also involved national captain Shakib Al Hasan.

Raqibul debuted for Bangladesh in 2008, going on to play seven Tests and 41 One-Day Internationals.

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