Melbourne: Yesterday, exactly eight years ago, Shakib Al Hasan scored an impressive 53 against India in a group match of the 2007 World Cup in Port of Spain, which the Rahul Dravid-led side lost. That was the first time Shakib played India in an ODI. Since then, the Bangladeshi all-rounder has batted against the Men in Blue nine times, scoring four half centuries and a 49.


Shakib Al Hasan (left) plays football with teammate Sabbir Rahman during a training session in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AFP 

His batting prowess notwithstanding, the 27-year-old has claimed 13 Indians wickets with his left-arm spin too.
It's no wonder that the vice-captain, has been doing the extra hard yards during training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground across the last two days in preparation for Thursday's World Cup quarter-final against the defending champions.