Shakib’s bat remains out of whack
Ever since making his return to international cricket after serving the one-year ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC), star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is yet to shine with the bat.
Prior to ban, cricket fans witnessed a phenomenal ICC World Cup 2019 campaign from the 34-year-old who struck five fifties and two hundreds, scoring 606 runs in eight games at a whooping average of 86.57, at the biggest international stage.
Although Shakib remained instrumental with the ball but things seem difficult for the left-hander with the bat in both international and domestic circuit. It is understood that the one-year gap from international cricket did hamper his confidence as he is yet to rediscover his signature rhythm with the bat.
However, the premier all-rounder did show a glimpse of his talent with the bat on his comeback series against the West Indies back in January last year where he scored 19, an unbeaten 43 and 51 in three games and turned out to be the Man of the Series.
But things started going downhill since then, starting with his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League where he eventually lost his place in the playing eleven, following a below-par display with the bat in the first three games, scoring 3, 9 and 26 runs.
He continued his abysmal form in the three match ODI series against Sri Lanka last month where despite having returned to his favoured number three position, the highest ranked ODI all-rounder was unable to make his presence felt.
In the first ODI against Sri Lanka Shakib did play with caution in the middle, facing 34 balls for his 15 runs, but the left hander eventually mistimed a lofted shot and was caught at long on. In the second game, he was undone by sheer pace from Dushmantha Chameera and was trapped leg before without troubling the score.
Focus continued to intensify on Shakib's batting but yet again he disappointed by scoring no more than four runs to complete another lacklustre show for the Tigers.
Expectations however, kept on rocketing after he was roped in by Mohammedan Sporting Club in the ongoing Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League T20 competition, which was also his first appearance in the league after five years. But things remained unchanged for Shakib with the bat in the first three rounds of the league where he managed to score 29, 0 and 20 in his three innings.
With an average of 11.77 in his last nine T20 games, the stats surely do not reflect the calibre of someone who still remains the first and only player in history to be ranked by ICC as "the number one all-rounder" in all three formats of the game.
Known for his specific training style, Shakib was recently seen working on his batting with his childhood mentor Mohammad Salahuddin and according to many it is only a matter of time for the proven class of the champion performer to overcome his current form.