Shakib Al Hasan is a Bangladeshi politician and cricketer who plays Test and ODI cricket for the Bangladeshi cricket team. He is a former member of Parliament for Magura-1. He is regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the game’s history. Here is a detailed biography of him:
Early Life and Background
- Full Name: Shakib Al Hasan
- Date of Birth: March 24, 1987
- Age:37
- Place of Birth: Magura, Khulna, Bangladesh
- Batting Style: Left-handed
- Bowling Style: Slow left-arm orthodox
- Role: All-rounder
Shakib was born in Magura, a Khulna Division of Bangladesh town. From a young age, he showed immense talent in cricket and was noticed for his ability to both bat and bowl effectively. His passion for cricket started early, and he began playing for local clubs before making his way to the national stage. Shakib’s father is Khondoker Masroor Reza and his mother is Shirin Reza.
Education
Shakib Al Hasan pursued his education alongside his cricketing career. He attended Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP), the country’s leading sports institute, which is known for producing many of Bangladesh’s top athletes. BKSP played a crucial role in nurturing his cricketing talent from a young age.
In addition to his sports education, Shakib continued his academic pursuits and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in English from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). Balancing education with his cricket career, Shakib managed to develop himself both academically and athletically.
Domestic Career
Shakib’s domestic career in Bangladesh saw him rise through the ranks quickly. He played for Khulna Division in Bangladesh’s domestic competition and became known for his consistent performances with both bat and ball.
He has also participated in various T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Big Bash League (BBL). Shakib played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, where he contributed significantly to his teams’ successes.
International Career
Shakib made his ODI debut for Bangladesh on August 6, 2006, against Zimbabwe, and his Test debut on May 18, 2007, against India. Since then, he has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh cricket.
Key Milestones:
- 2007 Cricket World Cup: Shakib first came into prominence during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. He was one of the young players in the Bangladesh team, helping them to notable wins.
- 2009 ICC World Twenty20: Shakib led Bangladesh to the Super Eight stage of the tournament, where he was recognized as a standout player.
- Captaincy: Shakib has captained the Bangladesh team across all formats at various points in his career. He first captained the team in 2009, and his leadership qualities have been key to Bangladesh’s rise as a competitive cricketing nation.
- 2019 Cricket World Cup: Arguably, Shakib’s most outstanding international performance came during the 2019 World Cup, where he was one of the top players in the tournament. He scored 606 runs at an average of 86.57, including two centuries and five half-centuries. He also took 11 wickets in the tournament, making him one of the few players to achieve such an all-round performance in a single World Cup.
Shakib Al Hasan Stats
Notable Achievements
- No. 1 ICC All-Rounder: Shakib has consistently ranked as the No. 1 all-rounder in the ICC rankings across various formats (Test, ODI, and T20I) for a significant portion of his career.
- Bangladesh’s Leading Player: He is Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in all formats and has scored more than 12,000 international runs across formats.
- Fastest to 5,000 runs and 250 wickets in ODIs: In 2019, Shakib became the fastest player in the world to reach 5,000 ODI runs and 250 wickets, surpassing previous legends like Jacques Kallis.
- First Bangladeshi to 6,000 ODI Runs: Shakib is the first Bangladeshi player to score 6,000 runs in One Day Internationals.
Politics
Shakib officially joined the ruling Awami League party in 2023. He filed his nomination from the Magura-1 parliamentary seat as an Awami League candidate to contest in the 2024 Bangladeshi general election, which he won.
Shakib’s tenure was cut short in August 2024, following the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement and the Non-cooperation movement (2024). He was criticized by protesters and former Bangladesh Cricket Board member Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Khan for staying silent during these events.
Off the Field
Family: Shakib is married to Umme Ahmed Shishir(m. 2012) a software engineer, and the couple has three children. Shakib is also involved in various business ventures and charity work. The couple met in 2010 while Shakib was playing county cricket for Worcestershire in England.
- Children: They had their first daughter Alayna Aubrey Hasan on 8 November 2015, their second daughter Errum Hasan on 24 April 2020, and their first son Eyzah Al Hasan on 16 March 2021. In August 2018, he became a green card holder which allows him to live and work in the US.
- Philanthropy: He has worked on various charitable projects, including founding the Shakib Al Hasan Foundation to help provide support for the underprivileged.
Shakib Al Hasan’s Controversies & Disciplinary Issues
Despite his immense talent and contributions to cricket, Shakib has been involved in some controversies during his career. In 2019, he was handed a one-year ban by the ICC for failing to report corrupt approaches by bookies. He admitted to his mistake and served his suspension before returning to international cricket in 2020.
Shakib Al Hasan, despite his illustrious cricket career, has faced several disciplinary issues throughout his career. Some of these incidents have been widely reported and have led to suspensions or warnings from cricket authorities. Here are a few notable disciplinary issues:
1. Failure to Report Corrupt Approaches (2019)
In one of the most serious disciplinary issues of his career, Shakib was handed a one-year ban by the ICC in 2019 for failing to report corrupt approaches made to him by a bookie. According to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code, cricketers are required to report any approach related to match-fixing or corruption, and Shakib failed to do so on three occasions between 2017 and 2018. Shakib admitted his mistake, cooperated with the investigation, and served the suspension from October 2019 to October 2020. This was a significant setback for him and Bangladesh cricket, as Shakib was at the peak of his career at the time.
2. Altercation with a Fan (2014)
In 2014, Shakib was involved in an altercation with a fan while attending a match. He allegedly made an inappropriate gesture toward the fan, which led to a three-match suspension from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The BCB also fined him for his behavior. Shakib later apologized for the incident.
3. Ban for Misbehavior with a Coach (2014)
In the same year, Shakib was suspended for six months by the BCB due to a dispute with coach Chandika Hathurusingha. Shakib was accused of leaving Bangladesh to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) without proper permission from the board. Additionally, he had reportedly engaged in an argument with the head coach. This led to the suspension, although it was later reduced, and he returned to the national team sooner than initially planned.
4. Aggressive Behavior on the Field (2021)
In June 2021, during a match in the Dhaka Premier League, Shakib lost his temper on the field in a couple of incidents. He was seen kicking the stumps after a disagreement with an umpire’s decision and later uprooting the stumps during a different moment of frustration. These incidents were widely criticized, and Shakib apologized for his actions, acknowledging that he had overreacted. The BCB fined him heavily and suspended him for three matches as a result of his conduct.
5. Multiple Fines for Code of Conduct Breaches
Over the years, Shakib has been fined several times for various breaches of the ICC and BCB Code of Conduct. These include instances of dissent towards umpiring decisions, verbal altercations, and on-field misconduct. Though these were relatively minor compared to his ban in 2019, they highlighted a pattern of frustration and emotional outbursts, especially under pressure.
Legacy
Shakib Al Hasan is widely regarded as Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer and one of the finest all-rounders in cricket history. His ability to contribute to the game in all facets—batting, bowling, and fielding—has made him a global cricket icon. His performances have also been pivotal in raising the profile of Bangladeshi cricket on the international stage.
Shakib continues to play an integral role in Bangladesh cricket and is still highly respected and feared by opponents worldwide due to his unmatched versatility as an all-rounder.
