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    STUMP VISION                                                             APRIL 03, 2026    |  The Indian Eye 40

                                          SHAKIB AL HASAN:

              The Statistical Giant Who Defined

                                          Bangladesh Cricket

              Statistically, Shakib Al Hasan stands out for his dominance across formats, highlighted by becoming the

             only player to hold the ICC’s No.1 all-rounder ranking in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is simultaneously in 2015

                                                                                                                  runs at an average above 80 and took
                                                                                                                  11 wickets, becoming the first player
                                                                                                                  to achieve the 600-run and 10-wick-
                                                                                                                  et double in a single edition. Against
                                                                                                                  India and Pakistan, his consistent all-
                                                                                                                  round numbers further underline his
                                                                                                                  value in high-pressure contests.
                                                                                                                      Beyond  the  field,  Shakib’s  ca-
                                                                                                                  reer presents a complex dual narra-
                                                                                                                  tive of impact and controversy. As
                                                                                                                  a  UNICEF  ambassador  since  2013,
                     ARCHAN MEHTA                                                                                 he  has  led  major  public  health  and
                                                                                                                  safety initiatives in Bangladesh. His
                  s the cricketing world marks                                                                    2023 drowning prevention campaign
                  the 39th birthday of Shakib Al                                                                  reached  over  22  million  people,
            AHasan on March 24, it offers                                                                         while his involvement in immuniza-
            a moment to assess a career that has                                                                  tion  programs impacted nearly  20
            run parallel to Bangladesh’s rise as a                                                                million children. He has also been
            competitive international side. Over                                                                  actively engaged in raising awareness
            nearly two decades, Shakib has built                                                                  for Rohingya refugees. However, his
            a  legacy  rooted  in  numbers,  consis-                                                              journey  has  been  marked  by  disci-
            tency,  and  match-winning  influence.                                                                plinary setbacks, including the 2019
            A genuine all-rounder, he has com-                                                                    ICC suspension for failing to report
            bined middle-order  batting  stability                                                                corrupt  approaches,  the  2014  con-
            with  disciplined  left-arm  orthodox                                                                 duct-related incidents, and the 2021
            spin,  often  carrying  Bangladesh  in                                                                on-field  stumps  altercation.  These
            both departments across formats.                                                                      episodes have shaped a public image
                Shakib’s early development was                                                                    that blends immense value with mo-
            unconventional. Growing up in Ma-                                                                     ments of volatility.
            gura, he honed his skills through local                                                                   In the later phase of his career,
            competitive cricket before receiving                                                                  Shakib continues to deliver with ef-
            structured training at the Bangladesh                                                                 ficiency, particularly as a bowler. In
            Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP).                                                                      the 2025 Caribbean Premier League,
            His youth record between 2005 and                                                                     he recorded 180 runs and 12 wickets
            2006; 563 runs at an average of 35.18                                                                 in 10 matches with an economy rate
            and 22 wickets at 20.18, highlighted                                                                  of 6.85. His T20I economy during
            rare balance, leading to his ODI de-                                                                  the 2025–26 cycle has remained
            but in 2006 and Test debut in 2007.                                                                   around  5.08,  reflecting  sustained
            From  the  outset,  he  was  identified   Shakib continues to deliver with efficiency, particularly as a bowler (ANI file photo)  control  and experience.  While his
            as a cricketer capable of influencing                                                                 batting output  has  shown  natural
            multiple phases of a match.       consistently with both bat and ball.   achieving  it,  reflects  rare  longevity   fluctuations, his overall career num-
                A  key  inflection  point  came   His  dual  impact  became  central  to   and sustained excellence. In franchise   bers,  exceeding  14,000  internation-
            during the 2008 Test series against   the  team’s  tactical  flexibility  and   cricket, particularly with the Kolkata   al runs and 700 wickets, stand as a
            New  Zealand,  where  Shakib  pro-  long-term structure.            Knight Riders, he played key roles in   testament to his durability and all-
            duced  exceptional  bowling  figures   Statistically,  Shakib  Al  Hasan   IPL title wins in 2012 and 2014, con-  round excellence.
            of 7 for 36. This performance elevat-  stands out for his dominance across   tributing with both bat and ball while   Shakib Al Hasan’s legacy ulti-
            ed him from a supporting option to   formats, highlighted by becoming the   maintaining economy rates below 7.   mately rests on numbers that define
            a  frontline  spinner,  fundamentally   only  player  to  hold  the  ICC’s  No.1   Across  T20s,  his  tally  of  over  7,000   eras and performances that shaped
            changing his role within the team.   all-rounder  ranking  in  Tests,  ODIs,   runs and 500 wickets makes him the   a nation’s cricketing identity. His ca-
            From that point onward, Bangladesh   and T20Is simultaneously  in 2015.   first  left-arm  spinner  to  reach  that   reer is not just a record of individual
            effectively operated with an addi-  His  return  to  the  top  of  the  ODI   milestone. His peak came in the 2019   success, but a blueprint for Bangla-
            tional specialist, as Shakib delivered   rankings in 2023, 14 years after first   World  Cup,  where  he  scored  606   desh’s emergence on the global stage.

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