The most complete cricketer in the squad
Nangarhar Cosmic took Shakib in the second Diamond round at the Dubai draft on 3 November 2026, at the Diamond price of $65,000 — a signing the ACB called a major overseas capture. He plays under captain Rahmat Shah, with Toby Radford as head coach and Mark Boucher as mentor, and the season starts on 27 December 2026 in the UAE.
The record is the longest in the squad. Shakib is a left-hand batter and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, born in Magura, Bangladesh, on 24 March 1987, and he has spent much of his career at the top of the world all-rounder rankings. His 50 wickets are the most by any bowler in T20 World Cup history, he scored 606 runs in eight matches at the 2019 World Cup, and his highest Test score is 217 against New Zealand in 2017.
This is his APL debut. Shakib did not play in the first APL season in 2018 — his name is absent from all five squads — so 2026-27 is his first season in the league, eight years later. For Cosmic, his value is balance: he bats in the middle order and bowls his four overs, which lets Radford play an extra batter without losing a bowling option.
APL 2026-27 in numbers
The season has not started, so Shakib Al Hasan has no APL 2026-27 runs, wickets or matches yet. His first numbers in this league will come after Nangarhar Cosmic’s opening match — the season’s first ball is on Sunday 27 December 2026. Until then, the table below is his career at a glance.
| Detail | Shakib Al Hasan |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 March 1987, Magura, Bangladesh |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Batting | Left-hand bat |
| Bowling | Slow left-arm orthodox |
| Draft category | Diamond — $65,000 |
| APL history | APL debut in 2026-27; not in any 2018 squad |
Career facts are from the player’s verified profile record. No APL 2026-27 figures exist yet — the season starts on 27 December 2026.
Where Nangarhar stand
Nangarhar Cosmic’s middle order is where games will be won and lost, and Shakib sits at the heart of it. Around him are Hales and Rahmat at the top, Kamindu Mendis in the middle, and a bowling attack led by Junaid Siddique’s pace and Zahir Khan’s wrist spin.
Cosmic play eight league matches, two against each of the other four teams, with four playoff places on offer. The Afghanistan Premier League 2026 season opens on Sunday 27 December 2026 at 5:30 PM Afghanistan time, and the final is on Wednesday 20 January 2027. Shakib’s four overs of left-arm spin could be the most valuable in the side.
Frequently asked questions
What is Shakib Al Hasan’s role for Nangarhar Cosmic?
He is the senior all-rounder: a left-hand middle-order batter and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, picked in the Diamond category.
What is Shakib Al Hasan’s T20 World Cup record?
He owns the most wickets in T20 World Cup history, with 50. He also scored 606 runs in eight matches at the 2019 World Cup.
Has Shakib Al Hasan played in the APL before?
No. He was in none of the five squads in the first APL season in 2018, so APL 2026-27 is his debut in the league.
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