Brilliant Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan regained his top ICC test all-rounder ranking after his sparkling performances with both bat and ball in the two tests of the three test series just concluded yesterday at Khulna. 

He made the major contribution scoring 137 + 6= 143 runs and taking 5+5 = 10 Wickets in the test earning a 162 runs win in the test at Khulna. He is now on the top of the list of a small group having Ravi Ashwin, V Philander, Stuart Broad and M Johnson following him. He returned to cricket after serving three months controversial suspension by BCB for his alleged attitude problem. BCB however did not make public for what specific reason an ICON player of Shakib’s status was required to be disciplined like this. 

ICC Ranking is like Golden Boot and Golden ball in soccer. Shakib equivalent in soccer is either Christiano Ronaldo (CR7) or Lionel Messi (ML10) though soccer and cricket from the popularity point of view can never be compared. But Bangladesh has reasons to take pride of Shakib’s achievents as in no other game in near and distance future Bangladesh may reach anywhere near the top. Cricket world can spontaneously recognize Shakib when talking about Bangladesh now. He can be easily brand Bangladesh abroad as good will ambassador.

Shakib has also reached some enviable milestones. Scoring 137 in the first innings of Khulna test and taking 10 wickets in the test he can joined the very selective club of elite all-rounder Ian Botham and Imran Khan. Shakib is the only spinner among the group. No other icon spinners like Shane Warne, Anil Kumble could go anywhere near .Other icon all-rounders Sir GA Sobers, Sir Richard Hadlee, Jack Kallis, Kapil Dev or Wasim Akram could not even achieve that feat in their career. He is still few at least 10 years cricket left in him and by the time he hangs up his bat he may set some new records.

On way of reaching the milestone after scoring century and taking 5 wickets in the first innings he joined another exclusive club of cricketers scoring a century and taking five wickets at least twice in test cricket. This was his 13 th five wicket haul in a test innings and he went on getting his 14 th in the second innings. This was for the second time he achieved the feat of a century and five wickets in a test innings after his 144 and 6/82 against Paksitan at Mirpoor in 2011.In scoring century and taking 5 wickets twice he is in the select group of Sobers, Botham, Kallis and Mustaq Mohammad. 

Shakib is also the eighth player who has scored at least three test centuries and taken 5 wickets in a test innings on more than ten occasions. The others are Benaud, Botham, Imran,Kapil, Wasim Akram, Chris Cairns and Daniele Vittori.

Bangladesh does not play test cricket as often as Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and others. If they could Shakib could be reaching more milestones by this time. Such a player, such a sports personality is not born every day to a nation. They are rare breed and comes only once in a millennium. They require to be handled professionally with care like glittering diamond. 

Shakib had few issues with his attitudes and few times in past he was disciplined. But his last suspension from playing cricket and restriction imposed from appearing in foreign league created lot of controversies in cricket community. He was at London on his way to play CPL in the Carribeans reportedly on verbal nod of a responsible BCB official. Allegedly he did not behave pleasantly with newly appointed national coach who informed the matter to BCB. Shakib was summoned back to Bangladesh which he obliged. He was not even show caused with a letter to defend his alleged behavior and was suspended without proper investigation. Shakib left the dressing room earlier during an international match when his wife was teased by a group of VIP fans. Shakib engaged into brawl with them and later sued them. It was widely reported in the media that these boys who showed indecent behavior included a son of a person close to a senior BCB official

Shakib was served a severe ban and was kept away from participating in the cricket tour to Caribbean. Bangladesh got white washed in all formats of the game. Perhaps that abysmal performance more than anything else induced BCB retreating and somehow save the grace through reducing his suspension term. We are unsure whether a better performance by the team would prompt BCB in being gracious to Shakib. But imagine what Bangladesh and the rest of the cricket world would have lost had Shakib not played in the series.

We are not going to revisit that unfortunate past. But we like to suggest BCB to withdraw restrictions on Shakib appearing in contracted cricket in foreign countries after the World Cup. Bangladesh is branded abroad by Shakib playing in ICL, KFC Big Bash, English County, CPL. All these are much better organized and managed than domestic cricket in Bangladesh. These create more mental toughness and skill development. Rather more Bangladeshi players must be encouraged to play in such cricket leagues and assisted by BCB.

I am sure Shakib also realizes now how much he is admired by Bangladeshi community anywhere in the world. He is idol for many. He must not repeat few objectionable gestures which tarnished his image to a great extent. He must not try to be Shane Warne, Ian Botham and Kevin Pieterson. Rather let him be a cricket personality like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sir Frank Worrell.

BCB should also be very careful in dealing with ICON players. Every individual is different. Everyone requires handling in a different way. We hope there will be appropriate mentoring and counselling for Bangladesh Cricketers in future by right people. The incidents that happened with Shakib must not be repeated in future for the greater interest of Bangladesh.

** Shakib ranks top Test all-rounder again

BDST: 1138 HRS, NOV 08, 2014