Shakib falls flat on return to cricket but Lahore march into PSL playoffs

It wasn't the kind of return to cricket that Bangladesh's star all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, would have hoped for.

After a six-month hiatus, the 37-year-old, playing for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), registered a golden duck and went wicketless in a crucial clash against Peshawar Zalmi at Rawalpindi Stadium on Sunday.

Shakib's last outing for the Tigers was in a Test for Bangladesh against India in Kanpur in September last week. The cricketer, however, has featured for Bangla Tigers in Abu Dhabi T10 competition since that Test.

Despite Shakib's flat performance, Lahore emerged victorious, securing a 26-run win to confirm their place in the playoffs. With 11 points from 10 matches, Lahore finished fourth in the standings and will now face off in the Eliminator. Peshawar Zalmi, on the other hand, were eliminated after finishing with just 8 points.

Shakib's return to action was delayed by inclement weather in Rawalpindi. A dust storm followed by thunderstorms forced a delay, reducing the match to 13 overs per side.

After winning the toss, Peshawar chose to bowl first. Lahore posted 149 for eight, with opener Fakhar Zaman leading the charge, scoring a 36-ball 60. Fellow opener Mohammad Naeem added 22 from 10 balls.

Shakib came in to bat in the 11th over but was dismissed on the very first ball, bowled by pacer Ahmed Daniyal. Shakib, attempting a ramp towards fine leg, was undone by a slower delivery, marking the first duck of his 15-match PSL career. This also marked the 31st duck in his 445-match T20 career.

With the ball, Shakib had a solid start, conceding just five runs in his first over. However, he was unable to capitalise in his second spell, as Daniyal hit him for two consecutive sixes, leaving Shakib wicketless for 18 runs in his 2 overs.

Peshawar's chase faltered as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Despite some late resistance from Daniel Sams, who scored 26 runs off 14 balls, and Daniyal's 24 off 14 balls, Peshawar were restricted to 123 for eight.