SYDNEY: Shakib Al Hasan is cricket’s top-ranked all-rounder and coach Chandika Hathurusingha expects him to play a leading role in Bangladesh’s quest for another big scalp at the World Cup.

“We’ve got the No.1 all-rounder in all formats of the game ... he’s a key player for us, I’m expecting him to perform and take a lead role and lead us from the front,” Hathurusingha said.

“I think you have seen him a little bit for Melbourne Renegades. He’s an explosive batter when he gets in and he can control the game, and he’s a very clever bowler.”

Shakib is the only Bangladesh player from the current squad to have played some cricket in Australia in the months leading up to the World Cup, having had a short stint with Melbourne Renegades in the Twenty20 Big Bash League.

“I think winning for any team is important, (but) for Bangladesh especially.

This is an opportunity for them to prove where they’re at with world cricket,” said Hathurusingha.

Published in Dawn February 17th , 2015

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