On the 'Beard Before Wicket' podcast, the host asked Moeen to pick between Shakib and Jadeja and the English all-rounder said, “Shakib is very underrated. He is ahead of Jadeja in both batting and bowling. I would pick Shakib.”
England spinner Adil Rashid was also there with Moeen, however, he offered a more balanced view. He rated Shakib higher in bowling but leaned towards Jadeja when it came to batting.
The comparison between Shakib and Jadeja has long been a talking point in world cricket. Shakib’s consistency as an all-rounder has made him the backbone of Bangladesh cricket, while Jadeja’s explosive batting down the order and sharp left-arm spin have been invaluable for India.
Statistically, Shakib Al Hasan has played over 71 Tests, scoring more than 4,500 runs and taking 246 wickets. In ODIs, he has crossed 7,500 runs alongside 317 wickets, and in T20Is he has added over 2,500 runs with 149 wickets to his name.
Since his debut in 2009, Jadeja has played 363 international matches, scoring 7,207 runs in 306 innings at an average of 33.83. His highest score is an unbeaten 175.
With the ball, Jadeja has bowled more than 5,100 overs, taking 615 wickets at an average of 29.42.
These numbers underline why the debate between the two left-arm all-rounders is so heated.
