Shakib Al Hasan becomes the first player in T20 World Cup History to achieve this massive record vs India
Published - 23 Jun 2024, 10:56 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:14 AM
Veteran Bangladesh All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has become the first-ever cricketer to register 50 wickets in the history of ICC T20 World Cups.
Shakib Al Hasan was in action yesterday during Bangladesh's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match against Rohit Sharma's team India. The Bangla Tigers needed a victory to stay alive in the competition, which is now being held in the West Indies following the USA leg.
As Bangladesh found themselves in a do-or-die situation, they succumbed further to pressure with team India earning a big margin victory. It was a notable result for Rohit Sharma and co., who are slated to play their final Super 8 game against Australia tomorrow in St. Lucia.
The Men in Blue are the only side in Group 1 of Super 8s to remain undefeated after Rashid Khan's Afghanistan defeated Australia earlier today. The Indian team now needs to beat the Aussies in their last game of the second round and as for Bangladesh, they can spoil the party for the Afghani side with a win.
Shakib Al Hasan, who is playing his 9th ICC T20 World Cup, could be playing his last game in the tournament. He will be aiming to close off his career on a high and yesterday he added another feather in his cap.
Shakib Al Hasan completes half-century of wickets in T20 WC
Shakib Al Hasan proved yesterday why he is counted among the legends of the game. The ICC T20 World Cup has witnessed plenty of great fast and spin bowlers like Lasith Malinga, Brett Lee, Stuart Broad, Shahid Afridi and Jasprit Bumrah among others but no one could ever do what Shakib has done.
The left-arm off-spinner, with the wicket of Rohit Sharma yesterday for 23 off 11, became the first bowler to amass 50 wickets in the tournament. Shakib Al Hasan was playing in his 42nd T20 WC match and had a bowling average of 19.38 and a strike rate of 6.81.
This milestone has never been achieved before by any player. The bowler who had reached the closest to the 50-wicket landmark was 2009 T20 WC-winning captain Shahid Afridi. The former All-rounder retired from the international circuit after registering 39 wickets in the T20 WC from 34 matches.
2014 Sri Lankan T20 WC winning captain Lasith Malinga is 3rd in the list with 38 wickets from 31 matches. Current Lankan captain Wanindu Hasaranga is the 4th highest with 37 wickets from just 19 matches.
In the 5th spot, former Pakistan wrist spinner Saeed Ajmal and New Zealand pacer Tim Southee are tied at 36 wickets. Ajmal tops Southee as he did so in 23 games. But what Shakib Al Hasan did yesterday makes him a legend of the game and an icon in the ICC T20 World Cup history.
Most wickets in T20 World Cup history
Player | Wickets | Nation |
Shakib Al Hasan | 50 | Bangladesh |
Shahid Afridi | 39 | Pakistan |
Lasith Malinga | 38 | Sri Lanka |
Wanindu Hasaranga | 37 | Sri Lanka |
Saeed Ajmal | 36 | Pakistan |
Tim Southee | 36 | New Zealand |