By the time the World Cup caravan moved to Guyana at the end of March 2007, India and Pakistan were already home. Ireland had upset Pakistan in Jamaica – in a game now sadly remembered for Bob Woolmer’s subsequent demise – while India’s exit at Bangladeshi hands had left a gaping hole in the Caribbean’s commercial plans for the event.
Mashrafe Mortaza’s bowling had blown the door open for Bangladesh at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, but it was the composure with which a trio of youngsters chased a tricky target that caught the eye. Tamil Iqbal gave them a flying start, while Mushfiqur Rahim stayed till the end, but Shakib Al Hasan’s solid 53 was as important in seeing the side home.
Bangladesh didn’t just win that game. They made a statement. Remember that this was an Indian side packed with legends, including a Bengali icon in Sourav Ganguly. Even half a decade earlier, Bangladesh would have been overawed at being on the same pitch. No longer. These young men strutted around and weren’t shy to have a word or two either.
On the sidelines of a press conference in Guyana, Dav Whatmore, who had masterminded Sri Lanka’s success a decade earlier, spoke of the change in mindset. There were already a few whispers about Shakib and his volatile temperament. Like many others in the subcontinent, he had grown up wanting to bowl fast. Physical realities may have thwarted that ambition, but he still bowled his spin and batted with the fast bowler’s aggression.
“It’s good to have a bit of an attitude,” said Whatmore with a grin. “It’s probably what they have lacked till now. These younger players don’t lack self-belief.”
In the 17 years since, Shakib has gone on to become one of cricket’s finest all-rounders. South Africa’s Jacques Kallis is the only other player to boast over 10,000 runs and 500 wickets across formats. Shakib’s 14,641 international runs include 14 hundreds – three more than Shahid Afridi – and there have been 25 five-wicket hauls on his way to 707 wickets.
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His greatest strength, however, has often been the ability to shut out the noise. Just this past weekend, in Rawalpindi, as the story hit the news wires of him being named in a murder chargesheet, Shakib played his part in one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated wins. Unable to support Mushfiqur, his old pal, with the bat, he dismissed Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and Naseem Shah to help trigger a dramatic Pakistan batting collapse on the final day. His 3-44 was the perfect foil for Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s off spin, and a first Test win over Pakistan was clinched with time and overs to spare.
What is happening back home in Bangladesh is beyond the remit of these pages. But before anyone rushes to judgement over Shakib being 28th accused (out of 147) in the case, bear in mind that he wasn’t even in the country for months prior to the protests that led to the student’s death. Remember too that he was a Member of Parliament for the ruling party, which has now been deposed. The history of nascent south Asian democracies is rife with tales of political vendetta, and it’s entirely likely that this case too is part of settling scores.
But whatever be the reality, expect Shakib to wear the national jersey with distinction if he’s allowed to do so by those now in power. Bangladesh cricket has seen many peaks and troughs since that long-ago day in Trinidad when the young tigers mauled India, but Shakib has been one of the few constants. Whether officially the captain or not, he has always led from the front. Several times, lines have been crossed and he has been reprimanded, but what he brings to the table cannot be replaced.
There have been clashes with coaches and other players too, but that he’s still so important to the side at 37 speaks volumes about the thick skin that goes hand-in-hand with the skills. Bangladesh’s next assignment is the toughest of them all – a Test tour of India – and it will be a brave board functionary who decides that they’re better off embarking on it without Shakib.
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