Shakib the runaway leader

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has declared Shakib Al Hasan as the “runaway leader” in all-rounder rankings across all three formats in 2017.

The premier Bangladesh all-rounder has previously occupied the top spot in the ICC's rankings on and off. But the 2017 was a special year when he dominated the all-rounder's top spot in Tests, ODIs and T20Is for most part of the year.

“Among all-rounders, Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan was the runaway leader across formats with Ashwin-Jadeja (of India) in Tests, Mohammad Hafeez (of Pakistan) in ODIs and Glen Maxwell (of Australia) in T20Is snatching the baton from him at different points in time,” the ICC said in a statement on Monday.

Shakib ended an eventful year as the top all-rounder in Tests and T20Is. Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez finished the year as the top ODI all-rounder. But Shakib's dominance in all three formats was enviable. He led the Test all-rounder's ranking for 284 days, ODI ranking for 283 days and T20I for a staggering 310 days.

The left-handers scored a magnificent 217 in the Wellington Test to start the year. He pivotal parts in all three major wins -- away at Sri Lankan in Bangladesh's 100th Test, the first-ever Test victory against Australia at home, a fascinating come-from-behind Champions Trophy win against New Zealand at Cardiff -- with the bat and ball.

He has scored 665 runs in seven Tests in 2017. He also took 29 wickets with a 10-wicket haul against Australia being his best. His Test figures could have been even better had he not skipped Bangladesh's two-Test series against South Africa after the BCB granted his request for a break from the longer format.

Already the T20I captain, Shakib will now lead Bangladesh in Tests and it can be hoped that his excellence with bat and ball extends to his leadership in his new stint as captain in the New Year.