CWC 2019: Shakib Al Hasan claims the top spot in a rare ODI double

Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh commenced their World Cup campaign with a spectacular victory over South Africa at the Oval. Batting first, the Asian team scored 330/6 and halted the Proteas for 309/8, thus picking up a 21-run win. Bangladesh’s ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan contributed with both the bat and the ball, he was adjudged Man of the match.

The leading all-rounder in the world as per ICC rankings, Shakib, demonstrated his value in the lineup yesterday. Batting at number three, the left-hander scored 75 and stitched a 142-run partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim. He then turned up with the ball and dismissed Aiden Markram in his spell of 10-0-50-1.

With the wicket of Markram, Shakib completed 250 wickets in his 199th ODI and claimed a significant record. He became the fastest cricketer to complete the double of 5000 runs and 250 wickets in One Day Internationals. Previously, only four all-rounders have achieved this landmark. Pakistan’s Abdul Razzaq was the fastest with 258 ODIs while Shahid Afridi (273), Jacques Kallis (296) and Sanath Jayasuriya (304) required more games to complete the feat.

Shakib, who made his 50-over debut for Bangladesh in 2006, is currently the second-highest run-getter for the nation with Tamim Iqbal heading the list. He is second on the wicket-takers list as well with the current Captain Mashrafe Mortaza at the top. In the next match against New Zealand on 5th June, Shakib will become the third Bangladeshi cricketer to feature in 200 ODIs. The all-rounder is truly ubiquitous in Bangladesh cricket.