DHAKA: In a shock move, Bangladesh’s
young middle order batsman Raqibul Hasan has retired from all forms of cricket
ahead of the country’s first Test match against England, an official said on
Wednesday.

Hasan, 22, hit an unbeaten century and a half century in
the three-day practice match against England and was a certainty against the
visitors in the first Test match beginning in Chittagong on Friday.

“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 director Jalal Yunus said.

“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,” he said.

Hasan made Test and
One-day debuts in 2008 and has played seven Test matches and 41 One-Day
Internationals. He is the only player in the Bangladeshi team to have hit a
triple century in first class cricket.