Shakib now joint highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups

Bangladesh premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan became the joint highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cups alongside Pakistan's Shahid Afridi during the Tigers' ongoing qualifier game against Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the Al Amerat Cricket Stadium in Muscat today. 

Shakib achieved the feat in the 11th over, when PNG's Hiri Hiri top-edged a ball while trying to play a slog sweep. The right-hander was only able to give an easy catch to wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan. 

Shakib now has 39 wickets in 28 T20 World Cup games. Former Pakistan skipper Afridi, however, had taken the same number of wickets in 34 T20 World Cup matches.  

Shakib is also now joint-top with Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal in terms of players with most four wickets or more in an innings in T20 World Cups. Both Shakib and Ajmal have three four-wicket hauls in T20 World Cups.      

Shakib, who scored a fluent 37-ball 46, laced with three maximums, also ended with impressive figures of nine for four in four overs, which is also his best figure in the marquee event. 

After helping the Tigers post a mammoth 181 for seven, Shakib's exploits with the ball helped Bangladesh thrash T20 debutants PNG by 84 runs and go through to the Super 12s.