Former India Test star Aakash Chopra has once again heaped praise on Shakib Al Hasan for his ability to handle two disciplines. Speaking to CricketNext, Aakash Chopra picked Shakib Al Hasan as the trump card of the match.

He also added that the best all-rounder in the world hasn’t really played to his calibre in this year’s IPL just yet. Shakib also holds much more importance in Sunrisers’ middle-order according to Chopra and said that he along with the others will have to handle the middle-order better.

"I am going with Shakib Al Hasan [as the trump card of the game] just for a simple reason that they are looking for players with two skills. He has had a decent IPL, hasn't really set the world on fire but he's got a few things going for him. He is playing a slightly bigger role in the middle order for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

"There are some issues in the middle order. Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Deepak Hooda, Shakib Al Hasan... they have to handle the middle muddle a bit."

Speaking about the slow-left-arm bowler’s bowling, Chopra forecasted that while he could have a tough time against the likes of Chris Gayle, he is world class bowler and could find a way out against the phenomenal batting attack of Punjab.

“With the ball, against Chris Gayle and company, he will be tested, but then he is the Bangladesh skipper and the best player they have ever produced. [So] You would expect him to come good and find ways to stop this juggernaut of KXIP openers.

”I am expecting Shakib to bowl in the first six overs as well. Just take the pace off the ball [against] a very explosive opening pair from KXIP and when his turn for batting comes, I am pretty sure that he will fire because if Sunrisers were to win, get back on the saddle, they would want Shakib Al Hasan to have a good game.”

The Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Kings XI Punjab later tonight at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad.