IPL 2019: 5 players who could replace Shakib Al Hasan if he doesn't play

The 12th season of the Indian Premier League is here, and we just need to wait for about 20 days. The auction took place on the 18th of December in 2018, and most of the teams have spent big money. However, 2 teams in the form of CSK and SRH were there only to pick up a couple of players and strengthen their already intimidating squads.

Last season's runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad bought just 3 players at the auction. England opener Jonny Bairstow was the most notable of the three, while the other two were Martin Guptill and Wriddhiman Saha. In many ways, they had the best auction and have roped in high quality batsmen. Batting has always been their Achilles heel, and by picking up Bairstow and Guptill, they have bolstered their batting lineup.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan played a key role for the Orange Army last season and contributed efficiently with both bat and ball. He scored 239 runs and picked up 14 wickets in 17 games. He fulfilled the role of an all-rounder with excellence last season. However, he may not be available for them this season due to an injury.

BCB president has stated that Shakib won't be fit for the IPL if he isn't for Bangladesh. He has been plagued by a finger injury for a long time and has aggravated it again. It is difficult for him to return to full fitness before the IPL begins and even if he does, BCB might not allow him to participate.

Even if he hadn't aggravated the injury again, he would have been available for only the first 3-4 games due to World Cup commitments. So, his injury could be a blessing in disguise for SRH as it would allow them to get in a replacement player for the whole tournament.

On that note, let us have a look at 5 players who could possibly replace him, if he can't participate.

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#5 Pat Brown

Pat Brown - one of England's many untapped talents

Pat Brown is an unknown commodity, and even die-hard cricket fans in England might not be aware of him and his talent. The Worcestershire bowler does not have express pace and relies on his slower balls and other variations. SRH does not have a replacement for the out of form and rather injury prone Billy Stanlake, and Brown could slot in as his backup.

Brown has picked up 32 wickets in 21 innings at an average of 16.9 and has an economy rate of 8.17.

#4 Zahir Khan Pakteen

Zahir Khan Pakteen is another mystery spinner from Afghanistan

The chinaman bowler is one of the many mystery spinners to have come out of Afghanistan, and is one of the better ones. Following in the footsteps of other mystery spinners to have emerged from his country, Zahir Khan has built an impressive image for himself. He was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals at the auction for the previous edition, but could not take part due to injury.

He is a talented bowler, and being a chinaman bowler further increases his X-factor element. He has picked up 36 wickets in 26 innings at an average of 19.3 and concedes runs at a miserly economy of 7.15. If they can get him in, they will have the option of playing him alongside with Rashid Khan. This is a move that would make SRH a seemingly unbeatable opposition.

#3 Hazratullah Zazai

Hazratullah Zazai is as aggressive as anybody can get

The second Afghan on this list, Hazratullah Zazai is another bright talent from the Asian nation. However, there is something unique about him. Most of the young Afghans are known for their bowling skills, but this bloke is renowned for his ferocious batting at the top of the order. He is one of the few batsmen to have hit 6 sixes in a single over, achieving the feat in the Afghanistan Premier League.

He also hit a whirlwind 162 runs in 62 balls against Ireland in a recently concluded T20I. He is mightily aggressive and is somewhat in the mould of Chris Gayle. He has scored 1080 runs in 30 innings at an average of 37 and boasts of a phenomenal strike rate of 168. Although there is no dearth of batsmen at SRH, his inclusion would make them a strong team.

At the beginning of the tournament, it will be Bairstow and Warner who will open for the team. Once they leave, Guptill and another Indian batsman - mostly Saha - will replace them.

The inclusion of Saha, who is a talented batsman but struggles with his scoring rate at times, may not be able to compensate for the starts that Bairstow and Warner gave them together. With Zazai in the team, they can directly replace the duo and still retain the same hitting power.

#2 Daniel Christian

BBL - Final: Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars

In many ways, Daniel Christian has been an underachiever in the Indian Premier League, has never lived up to the lofty expectations. However, he is a proven performer in overseas T20 leagues and looked in great touch in the Big Bash. He played a key role in the Renegades' title triumph. He also looked to be in great touch in the PSL.

As a fast-bowling all-rounder, he could be the answer to SRH's problems of finding a good finisher at the end of the innings. He is a big hitter, and can certainly win games for the team. He is also an effective bowler who generally shines at the death, and can support Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Siddarth Kaul.

He is a veteran having played 281 T20s. He has a strike rate of 139 and has picked up 241 wickets, and is a fine all-rounder.

#1 Anton Devcich

BBL - Sixers v Thunder

A valuable asset to any cricket team, Anton Devcich is the perfect T20 cricketer. An aggressive opening batsman, a left-arm orthodox bowler, and a brilliant fielder, he is one of the few cricketers who can open with both bat and ball. In fact, in the past 3 years, he has opened with bat and ball in 14 matches - the most in that time period in the T20 format.

He played for the Toronto Nationals in the Global Canada T20 in its inaugural season and was in the same team as Steve Smith. He scored 37 more than Smith and faced two balls less, giving us an idea of how good he can be. While he is an opening batsman, he can alter his position when required and has played in the middle-order.

The New Zealander has an average of 25.37 in 118 innings and has a strike rate of 131.71. He has also picked up 70 wickets in 84 innings at an average of 24.25 and maintains an economy rate of under 7.5.

The 33-year old could prove to be Shakib's perfect replacement as they are both very similar players.