Raqibul retirement rocks Tigers

Bangladesh's preparations for the first Test have been disrupted by Raqibul Hasan's shock decision to quit international cricket.

Bangladesh batsman walks out on eve of England series

Bangladesh's preparations for the first Test against England have been disrupted by batsman Raqibul Hasan's shock decision to retire from international cricket at the age of 22. Raqibul made scores of 107 not out and 51 for Bangladesh A in the three-day warm-up match against the tourists that finished on Tuesday. The right-hander had been overlooked by the selectors for the one-dayers against England and left out of his country's preliminary 30-man squad for the World Twenty20. But he was recalled to the Tigers' 14-man Test squad for the series opener, starting on Friday. Raqibul took part in practice on Wednesday but handed team manager Shafiqul Haque a resignation letter in the afternoon before flying out of Chittagong. "The letter has not been accepted yet," Bangladesh Cricket Board media committee chairman Jalal Yunus told bdnews24.com. "We are trying to persuade him to withdraw the resignation letter and continue with cricket for the country's sake." Raqibul, the only Bangladeshi to hit a first-class triple century, made his debut in 2008 and has played seven Tests and 41 one-day internationals. In his absence, Bangladesh are set to call-up Jahurul Islam.