Shakib reclaims number one spot in Test
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who yesterday reclaimed the top spot of the ICC Test all-rounders rankings from India's Ravichandran Ashwin, was hailed as 'the wonder of cricket world' by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"At the outset of my speech, I first congratulate the people of Magura where your golden son and wonder of cricket world Shakib Al Hasan was born," BSS quoted Sheikh Hasina as saying at a public rally in Magura -- the home town of Shakib.
The sport-savvy Hasina was actually showering praise on Shakib for his outstanding all-round performance in the second Test at the P Sara Oval in Colombo that Bangladesh won by four-wickets.
Sheikh Hasina said the Bangladesh cricket team had brought "Joy Bangla's Joy [victory for Joy Bangla]" by defeating Sri Lanka in their centenary Test match.
"For the historic win, I once again greet all players, coach and officials of the national team including Shakib Al Hasan," she said amid thunderous clapping from the audience.
Shakib and Ashwin had been in a neck-and-neck contest, exchanging the number one spot on two occasions over the past week.
However, Shakib reclaimed top spot with a brilliant performance in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. He took six wickets across two innings and scored a match-altering 116 in Bangladesh's first innings.
Mushfiqur Rahim also rose to a career-best ranking, 28th, in the Test batting category after making 74 across two innings in the Colombo Test -- a half-century in the first innings and an unbeaten 22 in the second.
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