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History awaits Shakib, Tigers
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DHAKA ﻿Wednesday﻿ ﻿September﻿ ﻿8﻿, ﻿2021﻿, bhadra 24, 1428 bs
PHOTO : FIROZ AHMED
Sports Reporter
4-0-24-0. Those were Shakib Al Hasan’s bowling figures in the third T20I against New Zealand. And when Shakib’s wicket column remains empty, more often than not, it does not augur well for Bangladesh.
That proved to be the case in the previous game, with Bangladesh missing their chance to wrap up the series and instead suffering a 52-run thumping after the Tigers were bowled out in 19.4 overs for 76 runs -- their lowest total in T20Is at home.
There is no denying that the Tigers have had a number of performers, especially in the bowling department, in recent outings such as the five-match T20I series against Australia last month and in the ongoing series against the Kiwis.
Despite that, it was often Shakib’s impact that the Tigers needed more than anything to turn things around after a dismal showing. After all, Shakib is said to be the vital cog in bringing balance to the side by his teammates, coach, skipper and team management.
In going wicketless, Shakib not only affected the Tigers’ chances but also delayed a crowning moment in his career. The champion all-rounder has claimed numerous records over the years and now finds himself on the cusp of becoming the leading wicket-taker in T20I history.
With 106 wickets from 87 T20Is, the left-armer is breathing down the neck of Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, who tops the chart with 107 scalps from 84 T20Is, and needs just two wickets to dethrone one of the finest and lethal T20I bowlers the world has ever seen.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Shakib can do today when Bangladesh take on New Zealand in the fourth T20Is in Mirpur and, in the process, create another piece of history by sealing Bangladesh’s maiden T20I series win over the Kiwis.
That question might even be going through the 34-year-old’s head, who mentioned during the series against Australia that he “sometimes keeps track of his records” after becoming the only cricketer to get 1000-plus runs and 100 wickets in the shortest format of the game.
Going by Shakib’s penchant for making spectacular turnarounds, it is not unlikely that he will achieve another milestone and help Bangladesh return to their winning ways.