Shakib Al Hasan (born 24 March 1987) is a Bangladeshi international cricket player, former Test, ODI captain and current Twenty20 International captain, appointed in April 2017.[1] He is well known for his aggressive batting, controlled bowling and athletic fielding.[2]
Considered as the greatest cricketer to have ever played for Bangladesh, Shakib is acknowledged as the best all-rounder in the world with the highest current rankings in all formats of the game.[3][4][5] In 2015, Shakib became the first and only cricketer in history to be ranked the No.1 all-rounder by ICC in its Player Rankings in all three formats of the game (Test, Twenty20 and One Day Internationals).[6] After briefly losing the number one rank, he quickly earned the feat back and continues to be the only player sitting at the top in all three formats. On 13 January 2017, he registered the highest individual score (217) by a Bangladeshi batsman in Tests.[7] On the last match of Group Stage of ICC Champions Trophy, 2017, Shakib along with Mahamadullah had a record ODI partnership stand of 224 from 209 balls.[8] This is the best partnership record for any wicket for a Bangladeshi pair in ODIs and a second best in Champions Trophy. His extraordinary cricket commitments made him a national hero in Bangladesh and an ambassador of cricket worldwide.[9]
Born in Magura, Khulna, Shakib started playing cricket at an early age. He developed a left-handed batting style in the middle order combined with a slow left-arm orthodox bowling. He continued his endeavor by joining BKSP, the top sports academy in Bangladesh. In 2004, at the age of 17, he was drafted by Khulna to play in the National Domestic League. He first represented Bangladesh at the U-19 level. In August 2006, the 19 year old Shakib made his national team debut against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club. He played an important part in Bangladesh's victory, where he scored 30 runs and bowled out Elton Chigumbura to get his first ODI wicket.[10]
