Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan is regarded as the leading all-rounder of his generation, with an impressive list of achievements matched only by his disciplinary issues and brief political stint under a former controversial leader.
Shakib has been pivotal to Bangladesh’s rise as a competitive force in international cricket, capturing fans’ attention with both his performances and controversies. He remains the only player to have topped the International Cricket Council’s all-rounder rankings in all three formats simultaneously.
At 37, Shakib continues to excel on the field, taking three wickets in the second innings as Bangladesh secured their first Test win against Pakistan on Sunday. Despite his transgressions, selectors have accepted them as a trade-off for his sporting prowess, leading to his recognition as Bangladesh’s greatest athlete by eminent sports journalists in 2022.
“Cricket in Bangladesh is divided into two eras: before and after Shakib Al Hasan,” said veteran sports reporter Montu Kayser last year. “He is the Jesus Christ of Bangladesh cricket.”
However, controversies have plagued Shakib’s career, none more so than his decision to contest what many saw as a sham election in January under former autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina. Following a student-led uprising that ousted Hasina, Shakib lost his parliamentary seat and has not returned home since, remaining in Canada to play in a T20 league.
A murder case has been filed against Shakib and several Awami League members, accusing them of involvement in the police killing of protesters. Although he has remained silent on the case, his teammates, including veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, have expressed their support.
Shakib made his international debut at age 19 in 2006 and soon rose to prominence, becoming a national hero after Bangladesh’s victory over India in the 2007 World Cup. He cemented his place with remarkable performances, including a seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in 2008 and leading Bangladesh to its first ODI series win over a top cricketing nation in 2010.
His career has been marked by numerous disciplinary incidents, including a ban for threatening a spectator and a suspension for playing in an overseas league without clearance. However, his on-field brilliance often overshadowed these issues, and he has repeatedly returned to the team after showing remorse.
Shakib reached his peak at the 2019 World Cup, setting a record with 606 runs and 11 wickets, but his troubles continued. In 2019, he was banned for two years for failing to report corrupt approaches by bookmakers, and in 2022, the Bangladesh Cricket Board forced him to end a partnership with an offshore betting site.
Despite these challenges, Shakib remains a dominant figure in cricket. “He is like a king with many thorns in his crown,” Kayser noted. “But the thorns cannot stop him from ruling his world.”
