Shakib - the 5th best spinner in the world?

[ZoraxDoom]

I was just thinking of all the spinners in world cricket today, and I think Shakib Al Hasan can legitimately stake a claim as the 5th best spinner in the world today - after Murali, Vettori, Mendis and (barely) Harbhajan.

Here is the list of spinners from around the globe playing internationally today:

Vettori
Jeetan Patel
Harbhajan
Mishra
Kaneria
Afridi
Mendis
Murali
Swann
Panesar
Hauritz
Krejza
Harris
S.Benn
Utseya
Price


Looks like Shakib is the 5th best spinner, and possibly 2nd best left arm finger spinner in the world today based on recent performances. Panesar, Kaneria, Mishra, Swann and Price might not be so happy about that, but I think Shakib deserves that spot.

Discuss.

 

[vaibhav mehta]

Well Yes,Stats also support your arguments.

Top ODI wicket takers in Past 12 months.

Top test wicket takers in past 12 months.
Above stats include spinners only.

But I am not sure where to rank him?

vaibhav mehta added 8 Minutes and 14 Seconds later...

Well reason for his impressive records is that He played most of his cricket in Bangladesh or Subcontinent where pitches support spin bowling.
To judge him at highest level you have to wait until He would play more matches out of subcontinent.

He only has played 5 ODIs and 2 Tests out side of Subcontinent.
Though basically his performances are good enough to say that He is going to have bright future but to rank him you have to wait a bit.

 

[angryangy]

He's just an awesome player.

 

[King Cricket]

He's just an awesome player.

O no he's not. He's yet to be tested against tough opponents like Australia, India, Pakistan, SA, or England in tough pitches. He has played most of his matches in the subcontinent where all the tracks are spinner friendly pitches.

 

[vaibhav mehta]

O no he's not.

Oh yes,He is.

He's yet to be tested against tough opponents like Australia, India, Pakistan, SA, or England in tough pitches. He has played most of his matches in the subcontinent where all the tracks are spinner friendly pitches.

Ya and you have missed most important part that he plays from Bangladesh.
Have you ever seen him playing?

 

[King Cricket]

Oh yes,He is.



Ya and you have missed most important part that he plays from Bangladesh.
Have you ever seen him playing?

Yes I have. I admit, he is a good spinner, BUT efinitely not the 5th best of the world. I request you guys to think logically and consider the facts. Please don't get driven away by emotion.

Here's my list of top 5 spinners of the present-day world, (you may not agree with this list, not my problem)
1. Murali
2. Mendis
3. Vettori
4. Harbhajan
5. Harris (don't raise your eyebrows, he's a really good spinner)

 

[ZoraxDoom]

These same spinner-friendly pitches where Panesar, Swann, Hauritz, and traditionally every spinner apart form Asian spinners themselves have struggled?

I don't think pitches are an issue. Even if they were, he performed very well in New Zealand. And that isn't exactly a spin-haven. And, correct me if I'm mistaken, but wasn't his 7/36 on New Zealand soil? It may just be the Kiwis, but that is a fantastic feat.

It might be too soon to judge him as a player overall, but I don't think it is too soon to rank him as one of the best spinners in the world ATM. He is ranked by the ICC as the fifth best spinner in the world in ODIs, and 7/8th in Tests.

 

[deerkick]

Not only that, he's probably their best batsman ATM. And he's also like 20 I think. Very bright prospect for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh definitely need more players like him and good for them for having a fantastic all-rounder. The only problem is that unless other players also improve, most of the burden is going to be placed on this guy.

 

[aussie1st]

Definitely in the top 5 for me, his performances last year really helped Bangladesh. Lets see how he and Mendis go this year and then when they play in Australia.

 

[bladescape]

Mendis and Shakib are playing in Australia this year?
I can't wait!!!

 

[aussie1st]

Haven't looked but whenever they finally do it will be interesting to see how they go. I'm also assuming both are playing a bit of test cricket test year which should tell us a lot more about where they are heading.

 

[age of the fall]

These same spinner-friendly pitches where Panesar, Swann, Hauritz, and traditionally every spinner apart form Asian spinners themselves have struggled?

I don't think pitches are an issue. Even if they were, he performed very well in New Zealand. And that isn't exactly a spin-haven. And, correct me if I'm mistaken, but wasn't his 7/36 on New Zealand soil? It may just be the Kiwis, but that is a fantastic feat.

It might be too soon to judge him as a player overall, but I don't think it is too soon to rank him as one of the best spinners in the world ATM. He is ranked by the ICC as the fifth best spinner in the world in ODIs, and 7/8th in Tests.

No, It was in Bangladesh, If he had been facing us in home I'm fairly certian he wouldn't have done hear that well. But regardless. Shakib is a damn good player. Quite possibly Banglas Best.

 

[Dare]

O no he's not. He's yet to be tested against tough opponents like Australia, India, Pakistan, SA, or England in tough pitches. He has played most of his matches in the subcontinent where all the tracks are spinner friendly pitches.

He already played against South Africa in South Africa and got 11 wickets in 2 tests.

 

[irottev]

I rate him in the top 5. He's a good batsman too.

I would like to see him against some other sides also before being too sure. But probably better then Harris.

 

[TruSachFan]

His bowling is better than that the crap that Harbhajan dishes out on day 1-4 pitches.