Shakib is the danger man: Ponting

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be the danger man to look out for in the Tigers' squad during the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in the United Kingdom.

Shakib, currently ranked as the world's number one ODI all-rounder by the ICC, has scored 5717 runs from the 198 matches he has played so far at an impressive average of 35.73. In addition, the southpaw has 249 wickets to his name.

According to two-time World Cup winner Ponting, Shakib could very well be key the side's success.

 "My danger man for Bangladesh is Shakib Al Hasan," Ponting told cricket.com.au yesterday. "He has been here for a long time. He scores in many different areas, he is very strong in the square of the wicket and also strokes very well in backward point and the third man region."

Ponting, hailed as one of the best batsmen of all time, also praised Shakib for his shrewd bowling and guile.

"Shakib's cleverness comes out in his bowling. The left-arm off-spinner has never been a big turner of the ball, his changes of pace while bowling are quite amazing and he looks to attack. He uses the arm ball a lot more than other spinners," Ponting said. "He is different from other spinners right now. Most spinners bowling don't give the batsmen any scoring opportunities. But he is the other way, he keeps you on the pitch for the first couple of balls, changes the pace and waits for the batsman to take him on.

"Shakib has been playing international cricket for a long time now, he also played in Indian Premier League and Big Bash League for a long time. His experience will come in handy for Bangladesh."