In his first game in this year’s T20 World Cup qualifiers, Shakib Al Hasan went past the great Lasith Malinga to become the highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals. In their first qualifier match, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl against Scotland. Shakib was at 106 wickets before this match, and he picked up two Scottish wickets, which made him the current highest wicket-taker in T20I. Shakib has been Bangladesh’s key player both with bat and ball for eight to ten years. Shakib is a world-class spinner, and in the limited-overs format, he has been at the top of the charts for a long time. Currently, he is the number one all-rounder in the ICC T20I rankings and ninth in the bowler’s rankings. Shakib has had a fantastic career, and let’s take a look at some of the mind-blowing statistics of his bowling career in T20 International matches.
Breaking records: Superb Shakib Al Hasan
Lasith Malinga was dethroned as the highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals by Shakib Al Hasan during the qualifiers for the 2021 T20 World Cup. Before retiring, Lasith Malinga reached 107 wickets in 84 T20Is, while the Bangladeshi maestro Shakib broke his record in 89 T20 Internationals. Other than these two legends, no other player has reached the 100 wickets mark yet, and this itself is an amazing feat achieved by Malinga and the current highest wicket-taker, Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib also is the only man who holds the unique record of picking 100 wickets and 1000 runs in T20I. The Bangladeshi left-arm all-rounder is a legend, and as stats suggest, he is certainly the best in this format.
Shakib’s T20I career
Shakib made his debut in T20 International in 2006, and since the start, he has been a sensation for the Bangla Tigers. He has held the thread of the Bangladesh bowling attack and has won many matches with his bowling skills. He has picked up wickets at an average of 20.46 and an astonishing strike rate of 18.3 in his career. The most important aspect in T20 matches is the economy, and Shakib has a mind-blowing economy rate of just 6.70. His economy rate makes him a great bowler in this format as batsmen find him hard to score off. Shakib has won many matches for his nation, and at this rate, he may achieve bigger feats during his remaining career.
Shakib Al Hasan in the T20 World Cups
Shakib broke this record in the ongoing T20 World Cup in UAE. Shakib has been a consistent performer for Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup since its inaugural season. Shakib has picked up 32 wickets in the 26 matches he has played for the Bangla Tigers in the 20 over World Cup. He has bowled at an incredible economy rate of 6.54 and has a strike rate of 17.2. The wickets in UAE assist the spinners, and Shakib is Bangladesh’s brightest hope for a T20 World Cup, and if Bangladesh manages to qualify for the Super 12 this year, you never know Shakib may win it for his country. The highest wicket-taker in this format, Shakib Al Hasan needs to put in his all for an unimaginable victory for the Tigers of Bangladesh.