The King with Many Thorns: Deconstructing Sakib Al Hasan, the Poster Boy of Bangladesh Cricket

Section 1: Introduction - The Two Eras of Bangladesh Cricket

The history of cricket in Bangladesh, a nation where the sport is woven into the fabric of national identity, can be bisected by the arrival of a single, transformative figure. There is the era "Before Sakib," a time of nascent hope, occasional flashes of brilliance, and a persistent struggle for global relevance. Then there is the era "After Sakib," a period defined by unprecedented success, fierce competitiveness, and a newfound respect on the world stage. Sakib Al Hasan has been the singular driving force behind this metamorphosis, a player whose laundry list of achievements is rivaled only by his list of disciplinary infractions.¹

He is a figure of profound and often jarring contradictions. To his legions of admirers, he is, as one veteran sports journalist proclaimed, the "Jesus Christ of Bangladesh cricket," a savior who single-handedly elevated the nation's sporting fortunes.¹ He is widely regarded as the greatest sportsman his country has ever produced and one of the finest all-rounders in the history of the game.² Yet, to his detractors and often to the sport's governing bodies, he is an "unruly champion" ¹, a maverick talent whose career has been perpetually shadowed by controversy, on-field rage, and a "severe attitude problem".³ He has been banned for petulance, suspended for failing to report corrupt approaches, and has now found himself in political exile, facing grave legal charges that threaten to irrevocably tarnish his legacy.¹

This dichotomy presents a central paradox: How does a player with such a turbulent and polarizing record remain the undisputed "poster boy" of his nation's most beloved sport? What does it say about Bangladesh's sporting identity that its most celebrated icon is both a peerless champion and a perennial offender? This report seeks to deconstruct this complex identity. The analysis will argue that Sakib Al Hasan’s status as the "poster boy" is not in spite of his controversies, but in many ways, because of them. His entire career—the aggressive talent, the global success, the rebellious streak, and the raw, unvarnished ambition—mirrors the journey of Bangladesh cricket itself: a relentless, often chaotic, and unapologetic fight for recognition and respect on the world stage.

Section 2: The Forging of a Champion: From Magura to the World Stage

The legend of Sakib Al Hasan begins not in the hallowed grounds of Mirpur, but in the provincial town of Magura, in the Khulna Division of Bangladesh.² Born on March 24, 1987, Sakib developed a passion for cricket at a tender age, a talent so evident that he was often hired to play for different villages and teams in local matches.² It was in these formative years that the raw materials of a future champion were forged. Anecdotes from this period paint a picture of a natural prodigy. Having previously only played with a taped tennis ball, he was once picked to play for a team called Islampur. With his very first delivery with a proper, hard cricket ball, he took a wicket—a moment of fated significance that foreshadowed a career of immediate and dramatic impact.²

The BKSP Crucible

While his talent was innate, it was honed and polished at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP), the nation's premier government-run sports institute.⁹ A six-month training stint at BKSP provided the structured development needed to transform his raw ability into a professional skill set, preparing him for the rigors of high-level competition.¹⁰ This period marked his transition from a gifted village player to a disciplined athlete on a clear trajectory toward national selection.

A Prodigy in the Youth Ranks

His dominance at the Under-19 level was not just promising; it was prophetic. He announced himself as a future star in a tri-nation tournament involving the U-19 teams of England and Sri Lanka. In the final of that series, he produced a performance that would become his career signature: a blistering 86-ball century complemented by a crucial three-wicket haul to lead his team to victory.⁹ In another match against England's U-19 side, he guided Bangladesh to a win with a rapid 82 from just 62 balls.²

His statistics from 18 Youth One Day Internationals quantify this early all-round promise: 563 runs at an average of 35.18 and 22 wickets at an average of 20.18.² These were not the numbers of a player finding his feet; they were the numbers of a player who already belonged at a higher level.

Seamless Transition to the National Stage

Unlike many prodigious talents who falter under the weight of expectation, Sakib's entry into the senior national team was described as a career that "hasn't been of much struggle".⁹ His ascent was fueled by an "utter self belief, tremendous temperament, and of course worthy performances" at every level.⁹ He earned his One Day International (ODI) debut at the age of 19 on August 6, 2006, against Zimbabwe in Harare.⁷ In a comfortable victory for Bangladesh, he contributed a composed 30 runs in the run chase and picked up a wicket, showcasing the dual threat that would come to define him.⁹ His Test debut followed less than a year later, on May 18, 2007, against India.²

The rapid and seemingly frictionless nature of his rise from village cricket to the national team points to a talent that was not merely nurtured but was fundamentally innate. This trajectory, devoid of the typical setbacks and struggles that characterize many athletic journeys, suggested that he possessed a psychological makeup that matched his prodigious physical gifts. He did not simply hope to succeed on the international stage; he carried himself with an air of someone who expected to. This inherent confidence and overwhelming talent created a sense of inevitability around his career. From his earliest days, he was not viewed as just another promising player. He was seen as the chosen one, the individual destined to carry the hopes of a cricket-mad nation, pre-emptively anointing him as the future "poster boy" long before his name was known across the globe.

Section 3: The All-Rounder Ascendant: A Statistical Dissection

Any discussion of Sakib Al Hasan's status must begin with an examination of his on-field performance, for it is the sheer weight of his statistical achievements that forms the bedrock of his legend. His numbers are not just impressive; they are historic, placing him firmly in the pantheon of the sport's greatest all-rounders and, without any credible dispute, as the most accomplished sportsman Bangladesh has ever produced.²

International Dominance: A Class Apart

Sakib's most defining statistical achievement is a feat of unparalleled consistency and versatility. In January 2015, he became the first and only cricketer in the history of the game to be simultaneously ranked as the No. 1 all-rounder by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in all three formats: Test, ODI, and T20 International.³ This was not a fleeting accomplishment; he has held the top all-rounder ranking for a cumulative record of over 10 years, a testament to his enduring excellence.³

His prowess is evident across each format, as detailed in the table below.

 

Format	Matches	Runs Scored	Batting Avg.	Highest Score	100s/50s	Wickets	Bowling Avg.	Best Bowling (Innings)	5W/10W
Test	71	4,609	37.77	217	5/31	246	31.72	7/36	19/2
ODI	247	7,570	37.29	134*	9/56	317	29.53	5/29	4/0
T20I	129	2,551	23.19	84	0/13	149	20.92	5/20	2/0
Source: 2

In Test cricket, his breakthrough came in Chittagong in 2008 against New Zealand, where his spell of 7 wickets for 36 runs announced his arrival as a world-class spinner and set a new record for the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler at the time.² He has gone on to score over 4,000 runs and take more than 200 wickets in the format, a rare feat for any all-rounder.²

In ODIs, his dominance is even more pronounced. He became the fastest player in history to achieve the monumental double of 5,000 runs and 250 wickets, reaching the milestone in just 199 matches.² He later became the first cricketer to cross the 6,000-run and 300-wicket mark in the format.¹⁹

In T20Is, he has been a pioneer. He is the all-time leading wicket-taker in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.² Furthermore, he stands alone as the only player in T20I history to have scored over 2,500 runs while also taking more than 100 wickets, a unique double that underscores his exceptional all-round ability in the shortest format.²⁰

The 2019 World Cup: A Singular Masterpiece

While his career is filled with standout performances, his campaign in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England stands as a singular masterpiece, arguably the greatest all-round performance in the tournament's history. In just eight matches, he was a force of nature, single-handedly keeping Bangladesh in contention for a semi-final spot. He was named Man of the Match in all three of his team's victories, a clear indication of his indispensable value.¹⁰

Metric	Value	Rank in Tournament
Runs Scored	606	3rd
Batting Average	86.57	-
Wickets Taken	11	-
50s/100s	5 / 2	-
Man of the Match Awards	3	-
Source: 1

During the tournament, he shattered several records. He became the first player in World Cup history to score over 600 runs and take more than 10 wickets in a single edition.³ He also surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs scored in the group stage of a World Cup.² His performance against Afghanistan, where he scored a half-century and took a five-wicket haul, made him only the second player ever, after India's Yuvraj Singh, to achieve that double in a World Cup match.¹¹

The T20 Globetrotter: A Franchise King

Sakib's influence extends far beyond the international arena. As a T20 globetrotter, he has been a coveted asset in franchise leagues around the world, cementing his status as a modern, global superstar. His success in these high-pressure, commercialized environments is a key component of his "poster boy" image.

 

League	Matches	Runs	Strike Rate	Wickets	Economy Rate	Titles Won	MVP Awards
IPL	71	793	124.49	63	7.44	2(2012, 2014)	0
BPL	100	-	-	132	-	3 (2012, 2013, 2016)	4 (Record)
Source: 2

In the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL), he was an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team that captured the title in 2012 and 2014.² He has also played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, demonstrating his value to multiple franchises.²²

In his home country's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), he has been the undisputed king. He is the league's all-time leading wicket-taker with 132 scalps and has been named the Player of the Tournament a record four times.² His global resume is extensive, with stints in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Australia's Big Bash League, and others, for a multitude of teams including the Jamaica Tallawahs, Peshawar Zalmi, and Barbados Tridents.² Recently, he achieved a historic milestone in the CPL, becoming the first player in T20 history to complete the double of 7,000 runs and 500 wickets.²⁰

Comparative Analysis: Standing Among Giants

When measured against his contemporaries, Sakib's all-round statistics often place him at the top. A direct comparison with India's Ravindra Jadeja shows Sakib with a significant edge in both batting and bowling in ODIs and T20Is.²⁶ Against other elite all-rounders like Ben Stokes and Jason Holder, analysis suggests Sakib is the more complete player, particularly in white-ball cricket, with superior batting numbers to Holder and better bowling figures than Stokes.²⁷

Placed against the all-time greats, the conversation becomes more nuanced. While legends like Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers boast superior batting averages, Sakib's bowling statistics are often more impressive. One analysis places him just behind the top tier of Kallis, Sobers, and Imran Khan, ranking him as the fourth-greatest all-rounder in the sport's history.²⁷

The sheer volume and uniqueness of these records are not just impressive; they are foundational to Bangladesh's identity as a competitive cricketing nation. At any point in his career, removing Sakib from the team would have been akin to removing the engine from a car. His contributions were not merely additive; they were multiplicative, often being the sole difference between victory and defeat. This created a unique power dynamic where his on-field value became so immense that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was often compelled to manage his transgressions rather than excommunicate him. The six-month ban in 2014 was reduced after an apology, and he was reinstated as captain soon after his two-year ICC ban ended in 2020.¹ This pattern reveals a "performance immunity" where his statistical supremacy created a buffer against career-ending consequences. The board and selectors have historically tolerated his "severe attitude problem" because the cost of losing his on-field production was simply too high for a team so reliant on his genius.

Section 4: The Captain's Burden: A Reluctant Leader

Sakib Al Hasan's relationship with the captaincy has been as complex and multifaceted as his career itself. He was often the default, and indeed the only logical, choice for leader due to his unparalleled skill and stature. Yet, he approached the role with a visible ambivalence, frequently expressing a preference to contribute solely as a player. This created a unique leadership dynamic where his authority stemmed not from traditional charisma or motivational rhetoric, but from the undeniable weight of his own performance.

Ascension and Immediate Success

Sakib's journey into leadership began in June 2009 when he was appointed vice-captain to Mashrafe Mortaza.²⁹ His first taste of the top job came unexpectedly during a tour of the West Indies the following month. When Mortaza suffered an injury, Sakib, at just 22 years old, was thrust into the role of captain.¹¹ What was meant to be a temporary appointment became permanent after he led Bangladesh to its first-ever overseas series victory against the West Indies, a landmark achievement for the nation's cricket.¹¹ This was followed by another historic triumph in 2010, when he captained the side to a 4-0 ODI series whitewash over a full-strength New Zealand team at home.²⁹

A Candid and Critical Style

As a leader, Sakib has never been a "people pleaser".³⁰ His style is characterized by a blunt, performance-focused candor that has at times created friction. He has been known to publicly criticize his team's batting, including his own, after a loss.²⁹ He has also openly voiced disagreements with team management and strategy, which reportedly did not always sit well with other senior players.³¹

This approach is rooted in his expressed reluctance for the role. He has stated on record that, given the choice, he would rather focus on his own game and that a younger player should be groomed for the captaincy.³¹ This sentiment, which he framed as being in the team's best interest, highlights a leader who views the administrative and public-facing duties of captaincy as a potential distraction from the primary objective: winning cricket matches.

Multiple Stints and Tactical Acumen

Over a span of more than a decade, Sakib has captained Bangladesh in over 120 matches across all three formats.² His leadership, particularly in the T20 format, has been credited with fundamentally changing the team's mentality. After taking over the T20I captaincy, he instilled a new level of self-belief, which was evident in the team's competitive showing at the T20 World Cup and culminated in a historic 3-0 series victory over then-world champions England in 2023.³² During that series, he demonstrated sharp tactical acumen, identifying England's relative batting inexperience as a key weakness to exploit.³²

 

Format	Matches	Won	Lost	Drawn/Tied	Win %
Test	19	4	15	0	21.05%
ODI	62	27	34	1	43.55%
T20I	39	16	23	0	41.03%
Source: 16

Sakib's value as a leader stems directly and almost exclusively from his on-field contributions. He leads not through rousing speeches but by setting an impossibly high standard with both bat and ball. His expressed reluctance and public criticisms are not signs of apathy, but rather manifestations of an intense, performance-obsessed mindset. He appears to view the peripheral duties of captaincy as secondary to his primary function: winning the game for his team. This creates a leadership model that is less about traditional motivation and more about a ruthless, uncompromising demand for excellence, a demand he first and foremost places upon himself. His impact is therefore measured not in dressing room harmony, but in historic victories and a tangible shift in the team's competitive identity. He is an effective, if unconventional and sometimes abrasive, leader whose authority is written in the scorebook.

Section 5: The Unruly Champion: A Chronology of Controversy

For all his on-field genius, Sakib Al Hasan's career has been dogged by a persistent pattern of disciplinary infractions, emotional outbursts, and serious breaches of conduct. This "laundry list of infractions" ¹ is as central to his public persona as his all-round records. His journey is a chronicle of a champion who has frequently been at war with authority, umpires, and at times, himself.

Early Signs of Volatility (2010-2014)

The first signs of a volatile temperament emerged early in his career.

●      2010: During an ODI, he became so annoyed with a disturbance near the sightscreen that he threatened a ground staff member with his bat.⁵

●      2011: After a humiliating team collapse in a World Cup match, he responded to the booing home crowd by showing his middle finger.⁵

●      2014: In a moment of televised infamy, he gestured towards his crotch from the dressing room, an act that earned him a three-match ban and a hefty BDT 300,000 fine from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).⁵

●      2014: Later that year, he was involved in an off-field altercation with a spectator who was allegedly harassing his wife during a match against India.⁵

The 2014 BCB Ban - "A Severe Attitude Problem"

His relationship with the BCB reached a breaking point in mid-2014. Following a dispute with then-coach Chandika Hathurusingha, Sakib traveled to the Caribbean to participate in the CPL without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the board. When instructed to return for a training camp, he responded by threatening to retire from international cricket.³ The BCB reacted swiftly and severely, banning him from all forms of cricket for six months and declaring that he had a "severe attitude problem, which is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh cricket".³ The ban was eventually reduced to three and a half months after he issued an apology, establishing a cycle of transgression, punishment, and eventual reconciliation that would repeat throughout his career.³

On-Field Rage (2015-2023)

His frustration with on-field events, particularly umpiring decisions, has led to some of cricket's most shocking displays of anger.

●      2015 BPL: He was suspended for one match and fined after openly abusing an umpire for turning down an LBW appeal.³

●      2021 DPL: In one of the most viral and egregious outbursts in modern cricket, he reacted to a denied appeal by furiously kicking the stumps at the non-striker's end. Moments later, after the umpires called for covers due to rain, he charged towards them, uprooted all three stumps with his hands, and slammed them to the ground.⁵

●      2023 BPL: He was again seen yelling at a square-leg umpire for not calling a bouncer a wide.⁵

The 2019 ICC Ban - The Ultimate Transgression

The most significant stain on his career came in October 2019, at the absolute zenith of his powers following his historic World Cup performance. The ICC banned him from all cricket for two years (with one year suspended) after he accepted three charges of breaching the Anti-Corruption Code.¹ His crime was not corruption itself, but a failure to report multiple approaches from a bookie in 2017 and 2018.¹ This transgression sidelined him for a year and represented a profound lapse in judgment from one of the sport's most senior figures.

A closer examination of these incidents reveals a connecting thread. Many of his on-field outbursts are not random acts of fury but are directly triggered by what he perceives as incorrect decisions that harm his team's chances of winning. He kicks the stumps not out of general anger, but in specific response to a denied appeal. His off-field conflicts with the board often revolve around his desire to maximize his professional opportunities in lucrative franchise leagues, sometimes at the expense of national duties. These patterns point to a singular, underlying motivation: an intense, almost obsessive, win-at-all-costs mentality. His controversial behavior appears to be the dark side of the same hyper-competitiveness that fuels his greatness. He seems to break rules when he feels they are an obstacle to achieving his immediate goal, whether that is a favorable umpire's call or a CPL contract. This makes his "unruly" nature not just a character flaw, but an inseparable, volatile byproduct of his identity as a champion.

Section 6: Beyond the Boundary: The Empire of Sakib Al Hasan

Sakib Al Hasan's ambitions were never confined to the 22 yards of a cricket pitch. In a calculated expansion of his influence, he leveraged his sporting stardom to build a formidable empire in the worlds of commerce and, eventually, politics. This foray into other spheres of power showcased his entrepreneurial acumen and deep-seated ambition, but it was his final, high-stakes political power play that would lead to his most severe and potentially career-ending crisis.

The Brand and the Businessman: Monetizing Stardom

From early in his career, Sakib understood his market value. He became one of Bangladesh's most prolific and sought-after brand ambassadors, representing a diverse portfolio of national and international companies, including Huawei, Pepsi, Standard Chartered Bank, and Yamaha.¹⁴ His commercial appeal proved remarkably resilient; his endorsement market remained strong even in the immediate aftermath of bans and controversies, a testament to his immense popularity and influence in his home country.³⁶

Beyond endorsements, he cultivated a diverse portfolio of business ventures, demonstrating a clear entrepreneurial drive. His investments ranged from opening a restaurant to founding Monarch Holdings, a multi-faceted company, and delving into ventures like gold trading and crab farming.² However, much like his cricket career, his business dealings were not without scandal. He has faced serious allegations of stock market price manipulation, been accused of leaving suppliers with unpaid debts in his crab farming business, and has been linked to questionable figures, including a fugitive jeweler wanted on criminal charges and individuals accused of match-fixing.¹

The Politician: A High-Stakes Power Play

The pursuit of power culminated in a direct entry into politics. While still an active international cricketer, Sakib sought and won a nomination from the ruling Bangladesh Awami League to contest the January 2024 general elections. He was successfully elected as a Member of Parliament for his home constituency, Magura-1.² This move was widely interpreted as a strategic play to leverage his immense celebrity for personal and business gain, providing a shield from bureaucratic hurdles and a means to influence policy.³⁵ In aligning himself so closely with the government of Sheikh Hasina, he was described by critics as an "enabler of the fascist regime".³⁵

This political gamble backfired catastrophically. In August 2024, a massive student-led uprising ousted Sheikh Hasina's government, forcing her to flee the country.¹ Sakib, who was in Canada playing in a T20 league at the time, saw his political affiliation transform from a source of power into a massive liability. His lawmaker position was dissolved with the old government, and he has not returned to Bangladesh since.¹

The fallout has been severe and swift. Along with other members of the former ruling party, Sakib now faces a murder charge related to the killing of protesters by police during the uprising.¹ A court has separately ordered the seizure of his assets in connection with fraud charges involving bounced cheques.⁶ Most damningly for his career, the sports advisor to the new interim government has publicly and unequivocally declared that Sakib Al Hasan "can never again play for Bangladesh".⁴⁰

Sakib's journey through these different spheres of power illustrates a critical miscalculation. On the cricket field, his power was absolute, derived from his individual, measurable talent. He was in control, and his performance was the currency. In business, he successfully converted his fame into capital, navigating a riskier environment with his celebrity status as a shield. However, in the realm of partisan politics, power is not individual; it is contingent on the fate of a collective—the party and its leader. He failed to recognize that the dynamics were fundamentally different. By tying his personal brand so inextricably to a political regime, he made his own fate dependent on theirs. The same ambition that made him a cricketing colossus led him to a political quagmire from which there appears to be no escape, a stark demonstration that his genius on the field did not translate to infallible judgment off it.

Section 7: Conclusion - The Contested Throne

The career of Sakib Al Hasan is a study in duality, a narrative of a sportsman whose legacy is destined to be forever contested. On one hand, the statistical record is absolute and undeniable. With over 14,000 international runs and more than 700 wickets, he is, by every conceivable metric, the greatest cricketer Bangladesh has ever produced.⁶ He is the man who made his nation dream ⁴², the driving force who transformed a perennial underdog into a team of serious international contenders.¹ His on-field achievements place him not just at the pinnacle of his country's sport, but in the elite echelons of the game's all-time greats.

On the other hand, his journey is a profound cautionary tale of "squandered potential, Herculean hubris, and self-inflicted downfall".³⁷ The brilliance of his cricket has been perpetually shadowed by a pattern of belligerence, poor judgment, and controversy. His on-field tantrums, his shocking disregard for the anti-corruption code, and his disastrous political alignment have permanently tarnished his image, leaving a legacy that is as much about his flaws as it is about his genius.³⁷

Ultimately, Sakib Al Hasan's status as the "poster boy" of Bangladesh cricket is secure, but the term requires redefinition. He is not the poster boy for idealized sportsmanship or unimpeachable conduct. Instead, he is the embodiment of Bangladesh cricket's complex, often turbulent, reality. He represents:

●      Aspiration: The powerful belief that a boy from a provincial town in Bangladesh can, through sheer talent and will, become the best in the world.

●      Aggression: The fighting spirit and defiant refusal to be subservient that has come to define the national team's competitive identity.

●      Ambition: The relentless drive to expand influence beyond the boundary, mirroring a nation's own ambitions to carve out a larger space for itself on the global stage.

●      Contradiction: The immense, world-class talent that is often shadowed by volatility, indiscipline, and the consequences of questionable choices.

The final verdict on Sakib Al Hasan is that his throne as the king of Bangladesh cricket is secure, but it is, as one journalist aptly described it, the throne of a "king with many thorns in his crown".¹ His story is not one of simple heroism but a complex, almost Shakespearean, narrative of a man whose prodigious gifts were matched only by his profound flaws. He is the poster boy because his entire, tumultuous career is the most compelling, dramatic, and significant story Bangladesh cricket has ever told. His legacy will forever be debated, ensuring that even in retirement, and potentially in exile, he remains the central, defining figure in his country's rich sporting narrative.

Works cited

1.     Shakib Al Hasan: Bangladesh cricket's unruly and under-fire champion - The Times of India, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/shakib-al-hasan-bangladesh-crickets-unruly-and-under-fire-champion/articleshow/112889498.cms

2.     Shakib Al Hasan - Wikipedia, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakib_Al_Hasan

3.     Shakib Al Hasan: A Bangladeshi cricketer who has made his mark in the world of cricket, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://crictoday.com/cricket/series/shakib-al-hasan/

4.     Shakib: Bangladesh's unruly and under-fire champion - SA Cricketmag, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.sacricketmag.com/shakib-bangladeshs-unruly-and-under-fire-champion/

5.     Shakib Al Hasan's unfortunate history with misconducts - Cricket.com, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.cricket.com/news/shakib-al-hasan-unfortunate-history-with-misconducts-8142024-1723637412814

6.     Bangladesh Legend's Assets Seized Amid Legal Troubles, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://propakistani.pk/2025/03/25/bangladesh-legends-assets-seized-amid-legal-troubles/

7.     Shakib Al Hasan - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakib_Al_Hasan

8.     The Inspiring Story of Shakib Al Hasan - The Stuyvesant Spectator, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://stuyspec.com/article/the-inspiring-story-of-shakib-al-hasan

9.     Shakib al hasan Story - Bio, Facts, Home, Family, Networth, Auto | Famous Cricketers | SuccessStory, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://successstory.com/people/shakib-al-hasan

10.  Shakib Al Hasan Net Worth, Height, Age, Wife, Biography & More - BDCricTime, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://bdcrictime.com/player/profile/348/shakib-al-hasan-net-worth-height-age-stats-career-wife-biography-more

11.  Shakib Al Hasan - Los Angeles Knight Riders, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.lakriders.us/lakr-players/shakib-al-hasan-ipl-profile-3782

12.  Shakib Al Hasan - Wikiwand, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Shakib_al_Hasan

13.  Shakib Al Hasan: Cricketer Star - Biography and Achievements - Sportsmatik, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://sportsmatik.com/sports-stars/shakib-al-hasan-1428

14.  Huawei in a spin with Al Hasan - SportsPro, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.sportspro.com/news/huawei_in_a_spin_with_al_hasan/

15.  Shakib Al Hasan stats, news, videos and records | West Indies players, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.windiescricket.com/players/shakib-al-hasan-4483/

16.  Shakib Al Hasan - Player Profile & Statistical Summary - Test Cricket - HowSTAT, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerOverview.asp?PlayerId=3426

17.  Shakib Al Hasan - Profile & Statistical Summary - T20I Cricket - HowSTAT, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerOverview_T20.asp?PlayerID=3426

18.  Shakib Al Hasan IPL player | KKR stats, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.kkr.in/players/shakib-al-hasan-profile-3782

19.  'Still believe I was right': Shakib defends his political stance | The Business Standard, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/still-believe-i-was-right-shakib-defends-his-political-stance-1117636

20.  Shakib Al Hasan makes history, achieves first-ever feat in T20 cricket - The Times of India, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/shakib-al-hasan-makes-history-achieves-first-ever-feat-in-t20-cricket/articleshow/123495075.cms

21.  Shakib Al Hasan ILT20 profile, stats and records, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.ilt20.ae/players/shakib-al-hasan-profile-3782

22.  Shakib Al Hasan IPL Career: Records, Age, Price, Team 2025, Stats - myKhel.com, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/players/shakib-al-hasan-ipl-p3420/

23.  en.wikipedia.org, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakib_Al_Hasan#:~:text=Shakib%20is%20the%20highest%20wicket,in%20the%20Bangladesh%20Premier%20League.

24.  Shakib Al Hasan - Profile & Statistical Summary - IPL - HowSTAT, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.howstat.com/Cricket/Statistics/IPL/PlayerOverview.asp?PlayerID=3426

25.  Shakib Al Hasan Profile - Kisma Sports, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.kismasport.com/cricket/players/shakib-al-hasan/profile

26.  Ravindra Jadeja vs Shakib Al Hasan Comparison: Who is the Better All Rounder? Check ODI and World Cup Stats - Jagran Josh, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/ravindra-jadeja-vs-shakib-al-hasan-player-stats-comparison-1697676290-1

27.  Where does Shakib rank among the greatest all-rounders? | The Business Standard, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/where-does-shakib-rank-among-greatest-all-rounders-106672

28.  Shakib Al Hasan: Bangladesh cricket's unruly and under-fire champion - Sport - Dawn, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.dawn.com/news/1855489

29.  Shakib Al Hasan | Sports world, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://sportslifeworld.wordpress.com/profile/cricket/shakib-al-hasan/

30.  Shakib Al Hasan: The grossly misunderstood maverick - Deccan Herald, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/shakib-al-hasan-the-grossly-misunderstood-maverick-3208476

31.  Shakib needs to cope with captaincy | The Business Standard, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/shakib-needs-cope-captaincy

32.  Shakib feels his captaincy has helped change the mentality of Bangladesh's T20I side, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/shakib-feels-his-captaincy-has-helped-change-mentality-bangladeshs-t20i-side-599686

33.  Shakib Al Hasan - Profile & Statistical Summary - ODI Cricket, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.howstat.com/Cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerOverview_ODI.asp?PlayerId=3426

34.  What Controversies Has Shakib Al Hasan Been Involved In? - Go-To Cricket Guide, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cif2UYQsAeU

35.  How Shakib's 'powerplay' blitz backfired | The Business Standard, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.tbsnews.net/features/panorama/how-shakibs-powerplay-blitz-backfired-970846

36.  Shakib: The endorsement king - Daily Sun, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/576264

37.  Shakib Al Hasan: A Tale of Talent, Triumphs, and Tumbles | The ..., accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/shakib-al-hasan-tale-talent-triumphs-and-tumbles-953881

38.  Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan ventures into politics | Cricket News - Times of India, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/bangladesh-captain-shakib-al-hasan-ventures-into-politics/articleshow/105325957.cms

39.  Litton needs 28 runs to dethrone Shakib - Prothom Alo English, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://en.prothomalo.com/sports/cricket/a5a40jm390

40.  Shakib Al Hasan will not play for Bangladesh again: Sports advisor, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/shakib-al-hasan-will-not-play-for-bangladesh-sports-advisor-2796081-2025-10-01

41.  Shakib Al Hasan barred from playing for Bangladesh, says sports adviser to PM - cricexec, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.cricexec.com/shakib-al-hasan-barred-from-playing-for-bangladesh-says-sports-adviser-to-pm/689561776/

42.  Shakib Al Hasan | Player Rankings - ICC Cricket, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/t20cricketworldcup/teams/2/players/3782/shakib-al-hasan

43.  Shakib Al Hasan | Player Rankings - ICC Cricket, accessed on October 3, 2025, https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/3782/shakib-al-hasan