Besides the national team, Shakib has been an unprecedented success for the T20 franchises too, thus paving the way for his respective franchise owners to scramble for his services in different auctions across the globe.
He might be an intense character on the field but off it, he is quite a relaxed man. In the sidelines of the 10th edition of the IPL T20, Shakib gave a short yet candid interview to cricket news website cricbuzz. Here are the excerpts:
Ultimate cricket dream
Win the World Cup.
Tigers' chances of winning the 2023 50-over World Cup
Preparations are going on nice and I think we have a very good chance in the 2019 World Cup too. The way we are progressing, we will be a very competitive side in the upcoming WC too.
Regrets
Ahh! There are actually two. The 2012 Asia Cup final where we lost to Pakistan by two runs. And the 2016 World T20 game against India.
Test series win or a World Cup victory
World Cup.
Say the Test series victory came against the world's No 1 side?
Still the World Cup.
Not even an away Test series victory against the No 1 side?
Nay, still the World Cup.
IPL 10 experience so far
Feels good. But of course, the mood is a little low now after the last defeat (against Gujarat Lions). It is always great to be back in Kolkata as this is the only time we all get together.
Shakib improvises by playing a scoop shot
INTERNETImmediate target
At Kolkata Knight Riders, we are all looking at adding that third star (points at his jersey which has two stars above the KKR logo, which denotes two title wins). No team has been able to win thrice, if we do that, it is going to be a special feat. I will leave on the fourth of May to join my national team, I am looking to give my best in all the games I am there for. We are a very good team and I am hopeful we can win it again.
Off the field activities
I spend time with my daughter and family. When I am not on the field, I am playing all the while with my daughter.
Got to see any Shah Rukh Khan movies lately?
Almost all the movies. I watch a lot of hindi movies. I watch most of them, all three Khans (Salman and Aamir being the others), particularly Shah Rukh. I cannot remember the last time I missed his movie.
Learned any famous Shah Rukh dialogue over the years?
Not really. We talk a lot. I watch a lot of his movies. I do remember few dialogues. (Smiles). I like the whole movie, dialogues, I don't know. Suryakumar Yadav's was, "Bade bade deshon mein aisi chhotti chhotti baatein hoti rehti hai" (Such small things happen in major countries). This is from Badshah. No, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. (Laughs).
Favourite food
I like fish. I like meat as well.
Culinary skills
Yes, I can fry eggs. (Laughs). I can make fried rice also. Thing is when I went to play county cricket in England, we were pretty much on our own. That is when I learnt cooking but I am sure I have forgotten all that I mentioned some time back.
Most vocal KKR player
In KKR, there is hardly anyone. I think all the senior players talk. But no one in particular really. Maybe, Robin [Uthappa]. In the national team, it is me.
Laziest KKR cricketer
In KKR, Kuldeep Yadav. (Laughs). In Bangladesh, it's me.
Messiest in the dressing room?
Here most of us are like that. In the national team, it is me and Tamim Iqbal. We used to share rooms all the time when we played age-level cricket.
Favourite net bowler who you hit the most
Mashrafe [bin Mortaza]. I like facing him.
Bowlers who got the better of you more often than not
Graeme Swann and Muttiah Muralidaran.
Name a guy who you would never share your room with
I don't know. In national team (thinks hard) I have shared rooms with most of them when we were playing U-19. Not sure about the young guys but I don't mind.
Favourite sportsman
Lionel Messi.
Leaving aside cricket, other favourite sports?
Football.
If not a cricketer, then...
Footballer.
Most memorable moment thus far
As a team, winning against England recently (at home last year). Personally, the 200 (217) I scored against New Zealand.
Shakib celebrates with team mates
INTERNETDifferences between IPL and CPL T20
In terms of the dressing room, not much. The culture is a bit different but in terms of atmosphere, there is a difference. In the Caribbean, people are more fun loving, not into the game that much, they just want to enjoy themselves. Here, people are more into the game, they want their team to win.
KKR trivia. Who once held the orange cap (most runs)?
Robin Uthappa.
Season?
2014.
Runs?
700? (Smiles). (660).
KKR's highest wicket-taker
Sunil Narine.
Your position in the wicket-takers' list of KKR...
Me? Umm. Top five? (Second). (Smiles).
KKR's winning shot hitter in 2012...
Manoj Tiwary. I was there at the other end.
In 2014?
Piyush Chawla.
KKR's highest run-getter...
Gautam Gambhir. (You know your team well).
Shakib improvises by playing a scoop shot INTERNET
Shakib celebrates with team mates INTERNET