Birthday special: Shakib Al Hasan – 5 most memorable all-round performances
Unarguably the greatest cricketer to have donned the Bangladesh jersey, Shakib Al Hasan turns 35 on Thursday (March 24) and wishes are pouring in for him from different corners. Shakib belongs to the rare breed of all-rounders who can make a place in the line-up both as a pure batter or a bowler. He has also been instrumental in Bangladesh’s rise in international cricket.
Making his international debut in August 2006, Shakib didn’t take long in becoming a vital cog of the side. He put up one match-winning performance after another and guided Bangladesh to numerous wins. The southpaw can score handy runs in his middle-order and his left-arm spin bowling has tormented the best of batters. In fact, he has also held the top spot in the ICC all-rounder’s rankings across formats simultaneously.
Meanwhile, let’s look at five of Shakib’s best all-round performances in international cricket:
- 3/59 & 5/70; 16 & 96 vs West Indies
It was the second Test of Bangladesh’s 2009 tour of West Indies and Shakib was at his all-round best. The left-arm spinner made full use of the Grenada track and took eight wickets in the game which also includes a five-fer. Moreover, the southpaw also scored a match-winning 96 in the last innings, taking his side to a four-wicket triumph.
- 106 & 3/54 vs New Zealand
Bangladesh recorded a memorable ODI series win against New Zealand in 2010 thanks to Shakib’s all-round brilliance. It was the fourth game of the five-match series and the Bangla Tigers were batting first. While most of the home team batters struggled, Shakib stood strong and scored 106 runs. He then picked up three crucial wickets with the ball as Bangladesh won by nine runs.
- 2/52,124 vs West Indies
Shakib was indeed on a roll in the 2019 World Cup. One of his best performances in the tournament came against West Indies. The left-arm spinner bowled brilliantly on a batting friendly-track and took two crucial wickets. He then slammed a magnificent century as the Bangla Tigers chased down 322 runs in just 41.3 overs, clinching the contest by seven wickets.
- 84 & 5; 5/68 & 5/85 vs Australia
Arguably Bangladesh’s greatest Test victory came against Australia in the 2017 home series. Shakib unleashed his A-game in Mirpur and troubled Aussies throughout the clash. On a tough track, he played a handy 84-run knock as the hosts post 260 while batting first. He then took five-fers in Australia’s both innings as Bangladesh clinched the contest by 20 runs.
- 7/36 & 71 vs New Zealand
Although Bangladesh lost the 2008 Chattogram Test against New Zealand, Shakib impressed one and all. The all-rounder tormented the Kiwi batters and took a seven-fer in the third innings of the game. He followed it up with a fighting 71 in the last innings which eventually went in vain as the Kiwis won the contest by three wickets.
