Shakib Al Hasan’s birthday today

Today is the 31th birthday of Bangladesh cricket superstar and also top test all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

He is the best cricketer Bangladesh has ever produced. Considered as the greatest cricketer to have ever played for Bangladesh, Shakib is one of the best all-rounder’s in the world with highest rankings in all formats.

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). On 13 January 2017, he registered the highest individual score (217) by a Bangladeshi batsman in Tests.

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.

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.

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 ODI`s, 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 on ODI`s. He is also one of only three players to score a century and take 10 wickets in the same Test match. His achievements on the pitch brought him numerous accolades, world and Asian XI call ups, Wisden recognition and established him as a national icon.