CRICKET

Shakib Al Hasan (born 24 March 1987) is a Bangladeshi international cricket player, former ODI captain and current captain in Twenty20 International (appointed in April 2017[1]) and Tests. (appointed on 10 December 2017[2]). He is one of the greatest all-rounder of the cricket history [3]. He is well known for his aggressive batting, controlled bowling and athletic fielding.[4]

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.[5][6][7] 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).[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12]

Shakib had been a regular performer since breaking into the national team and was rewarded with the captaincy in mid 2009. He took over from his compatriot and longtime leader Mashrafe Mortaza. Shakib went on to lead Bangladesh in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and remained the captain for a few home and away series'. He was relieved of his duties in late 2011 when his BKSP colleague Mushfiqur Rahim was named the new captain.[13]

Shakib holds numerous records in both domestic and international formats. As of 2016, he has played over 250 matches and scored more than 8000 runs including 9 centuries in ODIs, Tests and T20 internationals, second most for a Bangladeshi cricketer. In July 2015, he got his 200th ODI wicket. With this achievement, Shakib became the seventh member of the elite club with at least 4,000 runs and 200 wickets. Currently he is the leading wicket taker for Bangladesh in ODIs. He is also one of only three players to score a century and take 10 wickets in the same Test match.[14] His achievements on the pitch brought him numerous accolades, world and Asian XI call ups, Wisden recognition and established him as a national icon.

On 28 August 2017, Shakib became only the fourth bowler in Test cricket to get a five-for against all other nine Test playing nations and, two days later, secured his second ten-wicket haul and second successive five-for to deliver Bangladesh's maiden Test win over Australia.[15][16]

On 15 October 2017, in his 178th ODI, Shakib became the fastest to score 5000 runs and take 200 wickets in ODIs.[17]

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