Shakib Al Hasan
Bangladeshi international cricketer, former MP, and all-time highest T20 World Cup wicket taker.
Shakib Al Hasan (born 24 March 1987) is a Bangladeshi international cricketer who played Test, ODI, and T20I cricket for the Bangladeshi cricket team and served as a former member of Parliament for Magura-1. He is known for his aggressive left-handed batting style in the middle order and controlled slow left-arm orthodox bowling. He is widely regarded as a very successful Bangladeshi sportsman, and considered as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time in international cricket. As of 2025, he is the all-time highest ICC Men's T20 World Cup wicket taker.
- born
- 24 March 1987
- field
- Cricket (all-rounder)
- nationality
- Bangladeshi
- known_for
- Aggressive left-handed batting, slow left-arm orthodox bowling, all-time highest
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Shakib Al Hasan was born in Magura District, Khulna Division, and began playing cricket at an early age. According to Prothom Alo sports editor Utpal Shuvro, 'Shakib was fairly proficient at cricket and was often hired to play for different villages and teams.' In one match, he took a wicket with his first delivery with a proper cricket ball, having previously played with a taped tennis ball. He spent six months training at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan. He made his Test debut in 2007 against India. His breakthrough came in the Test against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2008, where he picked up 7 wickets for 36 runs, the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler at that time. He has scored over 4,000 runs and taken more than 200 wickets in Tests. He captained the team on their first-ever Test match win over England in 2016. In ODIs, he has scored over 6,000 runs and taken more than 270 wickets, becoming the fastest player in history to achieve the double of 5,000 runs and 250 wickets. In the 2012 Asia Cup, Shakib scored 237 runs, including three fifties, and took six wickets. Bangladesh progressed to the tournament's final for the first time but lost to Pakistan by 2 runs, and he was awarded Player of the tournament. In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, he broke the record of maximum runs scored in the group stages previously held by Sachin Tendulkar and finished as the third-highest run-scorer with 606 runs. He has played for Kolkata Knight Riders, winning the IPL twice in 2012 and 2014, and for Dhaka Dominators, winning the BPL title three times in 2012, 2013, and 2016. He was named player of the tournament in BPL a record four times: 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2022.
Reader's Guide
Shakib Al Hasan's significance comes from his consistent all-round performances across all formats. He has won 41 man-of-the-match awards, the highest for any Bangladeshi player, and 16 man-of-the-series awards in all formats. Between 2009 and 2022, he captained the Bangladesh cricket team in 120 matches across all three formats. His career has been filled with controversies, consistently making it to the top of domestic media headlines. He is considered one of the most influential and followed people on social media in Bangladesh. He was ranked the 90th most famous athlete in the world by ESPN in 2019. He was included in the ICC Men's Team of the Year twice (2009, 2021). His legacy is that of a transformative player who elevated Bangladesh's standing, though his career has been accompanied by public scrutiny.
Did You Know?
- Shakib took his first wicket with his first delivery with a proper cricket ball, having previously played with a taped tennis ball.
- He took 7 wickets for 36 runs against New Zealand in Chittagong in 2008, the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler at that time.
- He is the fastest player in history to achieve the double of 5,000 runs and 250 wickets in ODIs.
- In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, he broke Sachin Tendulkar's record for most runs in the group stages.
- He has been named player of the tournament in the Bangladesh Premier League a record four times (2012, 2013, 2018, 2022).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shakib Al Hasan?
Shakib Al Hasan is a Bangladeshi cricketer born on 24 March 1987 who competed across Test, ODI, and T20I formats for Bangladesh. He is broadly considered one of the finest all-rounders the game has produced and also served as a Member of Parliament for the Magura-1 constituency.
What are Shakib Al Hasan's key skills?
He pairs an aggressive left-handed batting style with controlled slow left-arm orthodox bowling, making him a genuine double threat in any match. His capacity to shift momentum with either bat or ball within a single innings is what defines his legacy.
What major records does Shakib Al Hasan hold?
As of 2025, he stands as the all-time leading wicket-taker in ICC Men's T20 World Cup history. He is also widely recognized as one of the most complete all-rounders in international cricket, excelling across all three formats.
Why is Shakib Al Hasan important to Bangladesh cricket?
During his prime he was the central figure who helped Bangladesh compete at the highest level in every international format. His ability to deliver match-winning performances with both bat and ball gave the team a rare dual-weapon advantage no single player could replicate.
Did Shakib Al Hasan have a career outside cricket?
Yes, he served as a Member of Parliament representing the Magura-1 constituency in Bangladesh. This political role added a public-service dimension to his already prominent profile in the country.
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