'Shakib will be the best bowler in the World Cup'

According to Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer, Bangladesh's premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan could be the best bowler in the T20 World Cup, set to begin tomorrow with the qualifier stage matches in Oman. 

Arranged by the International Cricket Council (ICC), skippers of different teams have been participating in a virtual chat called 'Captain's Call'. On Saturday, the show featured Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka and Oman skipper Zeeshan Maqsood alongside Coetzer.

The show's anchor Niall O'Brien, former Irish cricketer and commentator, asks all the skippers about their opinions on who would be the best batsman and bowler in the upcoming T20 World Cup. 

When Coetzer was asked who he thinks would be the best batsman and the best bowler in the World Cup, the Scottish skipper mentioned Babar Azam as the best batsman and, after thinking for a while, said Shakib's name as his potential best bowler in the World Cup. 

"I think the best batsman would be Babar Azam. And the best bowler, I think….. Shakib Al Hasan," said Coetzer. 

Bangladesh will begin their T20 World Cup journey with their first qualifier game against Scotland in Muscat tomorrow. Asked if it was a challenge for his side to be facing Shakib just a day later, Coetzer replied in the affirmative.  

"He [Shakib] is one of the top bowlers in the world. So definitely it will be a challenge," Coetzer said. 

Meanwhile, according to Sri Lanka skipper Shanaka, India's Rohit Sharma and Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan could be the best batsman and best bowler of the T20 World Cup. Oman skipper mentioned Babar as the best batsman but he was reluctant to pick the best bowler. 

Pakistan's Babar, however, said New Zealand Kane Williamson's name as the best batsman while he put his bet on his teammate Hasan Ali to be the best bowler of the marquee event.