Scintillating Shakib

In the lone T20 match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at Mirpur on April 24, 2015, Shakib Al Hasan showed everyone why he is recognized as the top allrounder in world cricket today.

His performance with the ball as well as the bat was crucial in giving Tigers their first ever victory in T20 matches over Pakistan, after seven consecutive defeats.

Shakib came on to bowl in the 2nd over and quickly turned the screws on the Pakistani batters. He conceded only one run in his first over. In his second over, he was unfortunate not to claim a wicket as Mushfiqur Rahim missed out on a stumping chance to dismiss Mukhtar Ahmed.

Returning to bowl the 17th and 19th over of the match, Shakib's clever change of pace and probing length outsmarted the batsmen as they desperately tried to hit the big shots, but were unable to dominate world's top allrounder.

Shakib gave away only 17 runs in his four overs, by far the most economical bowler in the match for Tigers.  

When he came out to bat, Shakib looked relaxed and focused on the job at hand. His innings began in the very first over as Soumya Sarkar was run out without facing a ball. Initially he kept the scoreboard ticking with ones and twos, and dispatched the loose ball when the Pakistani bowlers erred in line and length.

As his innings progressed, he took more chances and began belting even good balls to the boundary with consummate ease. Shakib was instrumental in the match-winning unbeaten partnership of 105 runs with Sabbir Rahman, and ended up as the top scorer for Tigers, remaining not out on 57 runs. He smashed nine fours in his scintillating knock.