Shakib Al Hasan is Wisden Cricketer World Test Player of the Year
08-October-2009
Bangladesh allrounder pips biggest names in world cricket to top TWC performance table
Shakib Al Hasan, the 22-year old Bangladesh allrounder, is the surprise winner of The Wisden Cricketer magazine’s World Test Player of the Year 2009 accolade, topping a list of the game’s most celebrated players.
Shakib topped the performance table of all Test match players based on marks awarded by Wisden Cricketer correspondents who reported on every Test played during the period. Shakib averaged 7.94 out of 10 for each of the eight Tests he played between the beginning of September 2008 and the end of August 09.
Wisden Cricketer World Test Player of the Year
Tests Avge rating
1 Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) 8 7.94
2 Gautam Gambhir (India) 8 7.63
3 Graeme Smith (South Africa) 7 7.21
4 Sachin Tendulkar (India) 9 7.00
= Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 8 7.00
6 Ben Hilfenhaus (Australia) 8 6.94
7 Andrew Flintoff (England) 8 6.88
= Dale Steyn (South Africa) 8 6.88
9 Fidel Edwards (West Indies) 8* 6.81
10 Andrew Strauss (England) 13* 6.77
Shakib took 45 wickets at 23 with his left-arm spin, including five five-fors, plus 498 runs at 35.57, performances that placed him ahead of stellar names such as Gautham Gambhir, Graeme Smith, Sachin Tendulkar, Jaques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Dale Steyn and Andrew Strauss.
Reflecting on his achievement, Shakib says: “I guess I owe my performance to keeping things simple. I don’t lose sleep over disappointments and rather look ahead to seize the next opportunity.
“I have been a performer and I work hard at my game to become the best cricketer I can be. Getting recognised by The Wisden Cricketer is the pinnacle of individual recognition as far as I am concerned,” he says.
John Stern, editor of the world’s best-selling cricket monthly says:
“Shakib Al Hasan is an outstanding young talent and a very deserving recipient of
The Wisden Cricketer’s Test Player of the Year Award. He has performed consistently against some top teams with flair, aggression and true talent. That he has performed so well in an international side that is still finding its feet is all the more remarkable, and his talent and ability could be crucial in developing the game in Bangladesh. He is a man and role model to look up to for all young Bangladeshis. If he continues his development he could become one of the most important men in world cricket and we look forward to following his progress – although we’re not sure England will be too keen to face him!”
