Shakib remains by far best cricketer of Bangladesh: Tamim

DHAKA (BSS)-When it comes to select the greatest Bangladeshi cricketer for all time, Tamim Iqbal chose Shakib Al Hasan without any reservation even though he also himself possessed an envious cricketing career.

Tamim Iqbal, the ODI captain of Bangladesh, has been the highest scorer for the country in all three formats of cricket. Even he holds the highest number of centuries and half-centuries in all formats of cricket for Bangladesh.

But Shakib is an all-rounder who contributed for the country with both batting and bowling. Moreover his presence in the ground, many Bangladeshi cricketers said, changed their body language in high-voltage match.

Shakib may come as No. 2 in all three formats, only behind Tamim, when his batting record is considered but he is always No.1 in bowling for Bangladesh in all formats of cricket. Shakib also had vast records under his belt, most
notably a one of only three players in the Test cricket history to have a double of 10 wickets and century in a Test match, a five-for against all Test cricketing nations, best all-rounder performance in World Cup history with
600 plus runs and 10 plus wickets and so many.

“With due respect to all other cricketers, I think Shakib Al Hasan remains the greatest cricketer the Bangladesh has ever produced. He is simply the best of all time as far as Bangladesh cricket is concerned,” Tamim said,
hailing Shakib in a live chat session with fans through facebook on Wednesday night.

Shakib now has been serving two-year ban, one year of that suspended, imposed by ICC due to his failure to report corrupt approaches. Since a year of his ban is suspended, he is expected to return to cricket ground in October.

Tamim said, it’s blessing to have Shakib in the side as he is the player which any captain would like to have in the team.

“Everyone wants a talented cricketers like Shakib in his team. October is still two months away and I am sure he will come back strongly. When his ban will be ended, I think, I am sure there is no captain, who doesn’t want him
in the team.”

In the live chat session, Tamim also disclosed the name of three bowlers who tormented him much in the International cricket.

He singled out the name of Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, Indian off- spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and South African lanky pacer Morne Morkel, who gave him nightmare.

“I often became double-minded when I faced Saeed Ajmal and Ashwin. They are the two spinners who gave me tough time in the crease. Morene Morkel was tough to play, specially for a left-hand batsman like me,” he said.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan, disclosed the name of Muttiah Muralidharan, Morne Morkel and Jofra Archer, who he picked as tough bowlers for him.