A boost of Shakib

With the two-match test series against Pakistan beginning from 28 April, 2015, Tigers' supporters expect Shakib Al Hasan, unarguably the best cricketer that Bangladesh have ever produced to perform proficiently with the bat and ball.

A vital cog in Bangladesh's line-up, Shakib Al Hasan has been a consistent performer for his country, especially in the longest format of cricket. After the home test series against Pakistan in 2011, his achievements catapulted him to the top of ICC's ranking of Test allrounders – the first Bangladeshi cricketer to claim that position.

Let's see the best of Shakib in test matches, when he made his mark with the bat and ball and established his name as one of the best allrounders in world cricket today.

Shakib Al Hasan was Tigers' top run-scorer and wicket-taker in the home Test series against Pakistan in December 2011. In the second Test match, he became Bangladesh's first player to score a century and take five wickets in an innings. He scored his highest test score of 144 runs in the first innings of the match, keeping the Pakistani bowlers at bay during his long stay at the crease.

Shakib Al Hasan was the first Bangladesh player to take a five-for and score a ton in a Test, Bangladesh v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Mirpur, 4th day, December 20, 2011. Photo: AFP

When Pakistan batted in their first innings, they found Shakib's consistent line and length and clever change of pace quite difficult to negotiate. Shakib took 6 wickets for 82 runs in 40.5 overs and etched his name in Bangladesh's cricket history with his remarkable feat.

During the second test match of Zimbabwe's tour of Bangladesh in 2014, Shakib scored his second highest score of 137 runs and helped Bangladesh put a 400 plus total on board at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna. During Zimbabwe's first innings with the bat, Shakib wrecked their middle order with 5 wickets for 80 runs in 41 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan completed his first ten-wicket haul, Bangladesh v Zimbabwe, 2nd Test, Khulna, 5th day, November 7, 2014. Photo: AFP

After Tigers gave them a target of 314 runs in the fourth innings, Shakib ran through the Zimbabwean batting order with 5 wickets for 44 runs in 18 over and played his part in Bangladesh's resounding victory by 162 runs.

When Bangladesh toured West Indies in 2009, Shakib Al Hasan took over the captaincy and led from the front in the series. In the second test match, he picked up 3/59 when West Indies batted first. During their second innings, Shakib gave regular breakthroughs with his left-arm spin and ended with 5 wickets for 70 runs from 24.5 overs.

Shakib Al Hasan gets to keep the ball after his five-wicket haul, West Indies v Bangladesh, 2nd Test, 4th day, Grenada, July 20, 2009. Photo: AP

Chasing 215 for a rare overseas victory, Shakib was unbeaten on 96 runs and ensured Bangladesh fans had a reason to celebrate the momentous occasion at Grenada.

Shakib has played 37 tests so far, scored 2529 runs at an average of 38.31. He has three hundreds and seventeen fifties to his name. As a bowler he has picked 140 wickets at an average of 31.45. Shakib took five wickets in an innings fourteen times and ten wickets once in his career.