After a first-class career spanning nearly two decades, domestic stalwart Shamsur Rahman Shuvo has retired from red-ball cricket following the recently concluded 27th National Cricket League (NCL). Interestingly, he had not planned to step away this season, but a particular dismissal during the tournament offered unexpected clarity. Finishing with 9,602 first-class runs, Shamsur reflected on his journey, satisfaction, disappointments, his views on Bangladesh's domestic system, and his future plans in an interview with The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan. The excerpts are as follows:
The Daily Star (DS): Being so close to the 10,000-run milestone, what made you retire before reaching it?
Shamsur Rahman Shuvo (SRS): A cricketer doesn't retire so close to a milestone without any reason. I did not have a good time with the bat this year, and also did not get the support -- and by that I mean mental freshness. That's why I decided it is the best time to remove myself, providing juniors an opportunity to play in my place which would make me feel good.
DS: Having played for Dhaka Division for so long, do you regret retiring as a Barishal player instead of with your own division?
SRS: I played for Dhaka for 17 years -- meaning Dhaka Metro and Dhaka Division. When such an established team is not available (for me), and as a player, when I get an opportunity in another division, it certainly feels bad that I couldn't retire from my own division.
DS: Did you decide beforehand to retire after this season?
SRS: No, I didn't decide beforehand. I made the decision this year, on the ground.
DS: What triggered the decision?
SRS: First, it occurred to me that I have left behind my good time. The second was when I was bowled by a Rishad [Hossain] delivery in Bogura. I found the manner of the dismissal very surprising. I defended on the back foot and was bowled after the ball dropped straight onto the ground -- I stood my ground for a while, thinking that it is perhaps a signal that this was the best time for me to quit.
DS: What changes have you seen in domestic cricket in the last 20 years?
SRS: I won't say there has been much change. We create a lot of hype before every season, but nothing new happens. Increase in match fees, DA, staying at good hotels, and traveling by flight are the improvements -- but not so much when it comes to the ground or other on-field things, which should have been the case for a country playing Test cricket for 25 years.
DS: What is the reason behind that stagnation?
SRS: We should change our mindset. Where do we actually want to see our country's cricket, and where do we want to take it? When you don't think that way, nothing will improve.
DS: Do you regret never getting a national-team callback after 2013-14 despite performing across formats?
SRS: Don't know why it happened, but it is very painful for a player to be dropped from the national team and not be kept in any programme. I played well in domestic cricket, be it one-day or four-day format. Still, I never got a callback. I feel pain, but I am not worried about it anymore. I will continue playing List A cricket, and I am satisfied with whatever the Almighty has given me.
DS: What is the most satisfying part of your career? Any regrets?
SRS: My greatest achievement was to play Test cricket, and to play in all three formats for Bangladesh. I will say that if there is any result of a lifetime of hard work, it is this thing: that I was able to take the field in three formats for Bangladesh. Red-ball cricket has always been the most important for me, so playing this format is among the two important things in my career. And, I have no regrets.
DS: What are your future plans?
SRS: I won't play for long. Maximum, if I play this year and then retire from competitive cricket. My plan is to stay connected with cricket as I have played since childhood. I would like to serve Bangladesh if the BCB gives me an opportunity in some capacity -- then I will really feel proud of myself.
