In December 2007 and January 2008, Bangladesh toured New Zealand for two Tests and three ODIs. Although he did not play the first Test, Shakib was selected over Enamul Haque Jr for the second due to his better batting ability. It was Shakib's fourth Test, and until that point he had gone wicketless. His first wicket was that of New Zealand's Craig Cumming. New Zealand won by an innings and 137 runs and took the series 2–0. New Zealand also completed a clean sweep in the ODIs which preceded the Tests, winning 3–0. Shakib played in all three ODIs scoring 31 runs at an average of 10.33, and taking 3 wickets at an average of 42.33. Over February and March 2008 South Africa toured Bangladesh, playing two Tests and three ODIs. South Africa won both Tests. Shakib played in both Bangladesh's defeats, taking just one wicket while conceding 122 runs, and scoring 75 runs. South Africa won the subsequent ODI series 3–0. Shakib passed 1,000 ODI runs in the series; he passed the landmark in his 39th ODI with a batting average of 35.37.