Published on 12:00 AM, August 10, 2021

Comeback King Shakib

Shakib Al Hasan became the only player to have scalped 100 wickets and score more than 1000 runs in T20Is when he took the wicket of Australia’s Ashton Turner. The only other player to have reached the 100-wicket milestone in T20Is is Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga, who took 107 wickets in 84 matches. Shakib also reached the milestone in his 84th T20I but his uniqueness was that he had also scored 1718 runs during that time, averaging 23.53 with nine fifties and a high score of 84 in the format.

He can be unpredictable and he can be a bit odd at times but one thing is for sure is that you just cannot take him out of the game at any moment and so once again Shakib Al Hasan proved why he has been the best all-rounder in the world for more than a decade now.

Not more than 48 hours ago, Shakib almost turned villain for many Bangladeshi fans after he was struck for five sixes in an over from Australian Daniel Christian in the fourth T20I.

And then yesterday in the fifth and final T20I against the Aussies, Shakib went on to register his most economical bowling in the shortest format with figures of four for nine and in the process broke records and created history.

It requires nerves of steel to overcome such a devastating scenario and come out as the champion the very next day and the 34-year-old did exactly that. And by doing so, Shakib reached new heights by becoming the first-ever cricketer to pick up hundred wickets while also scoring a thousand runs in the T20 format.

The question was there for Shakib on whether he has some alien superpowers to which the champion cricketer replied along with his signature smile," Obviously I am a human. It can affect many mentally (referring to the five sixes in his over in the previous game) while some might not have an impact after such games. I might have prepared myself to that extent where I don't get affected after such a performance. So from that point, I am lucky," Shakib told the media after the game yesterday.

For his outstanding performances with both bat and ball, where Shakib went on to finish as the top scorer for the Tigers in the series with 114 runs and also bagged seven wickets, the champion cricketer bagged yet another player of the series award. With the latest being Shakib's 16th player of the series in his career across all formats, he now stands third in the all-time list of cricketers with most player of the series awards, behind Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

"Obviously it feels good when you get some achievements and such achievements inspire you to play well for the team. But it would have never been possible if I didn't get the support from all the teammates, coaching staff, and also the fans. I'm really happy. I feel that I will be able to continue this for a very long time," added Shakib, displaying humility.

According to Shakib, if the Tigers can continue this momentum in the coming days, Bangladesh can do wonders in the upcoming ICC World T20 later this year.

"Many may not feel that confident when they look at the scorecard of this series but winning the series in Zimbabwe and now beating Australia by 4-1, and we also have a series against New Zealand, it will give us a lot of confidence in building up to the world cup. I think it will be a good preparation, however the batters might not get enough runs under their belt as we are playing in slow, low and turning wickets but it's important that the team still wins and this confidence boosts the morale of the side and also helps you nurture the winning habit," said Shakib.

 

New Zealand announce squad for Bangladesh T20I series

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Players in the 16-strong squad for the T20 World Cup were not considered for the series against the Tigers. Black Caps will arrive in Dhaka on August 24. New Zealand squads for Bangladesh T20s & Pakistan ODIs: Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry (ODI only), Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls. Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears (T20 only), Blair Tickner and Will Young.