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On Thursday, June 13, Shakib Al Hasan showcased a remarkable return to form with a vital match-winning half-century against the Netherlands in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
The former Bangladesh captain had endured a challenging campaign in the tournament’s ninth edition, registering scores of 8 against Sri Lanka and 3 against South Africa while also remaining wicketless.
In a crucial encounter on Friday, Bangladesh heavily relied on their star all-rounder to shine with the bat in a must-win match, especially after a shaky start, being reduced to 23 for 2 within the powerplay. Shakib Al Hasan rose to the occasion, crafting an unbeaten 64, laced with 9 boundaries, guiding his team to a formidable total of 159 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, the Netherlands concluded their innings at 134 for 8, falling short by 25 runs. Rishad Hossain stood out with the ball for the Bangla Tigers, securing 3 wickets for 33 runs, while Taskin Ahmed chipped in with two crucial dismissals.
However, Shakib Al Hasan’s performance not only drew attention for his batting prowess but also for his conduct during the game. The veteran all-rounder, known for his occasional temper flare-ups on the field, found himself embroiled in another controversy on Friday.
During the match, Shakib engaged in a heated exchange with the on-field umpire over a wide call. In the 16th over, Netherlands’ all-rounder Logan van Beek delivered a bouncer to Mahmudullah, which the umpires deemed legal. However, Shakib, stationed at the non-striker’s end, vehemently believed that the delivery had surpassed Mahmudullah’s head and should have been deemed a wide. Expressing his discontent, Shakib animatedly disputed the umpire’s decision, sparking a moment of controversy on the field.
As Bangladesh secures a victory against the Netherlands, they appear poised to advance alongside South Africa to the Super 8s from Group D. With South Africa already securing their spot in the next stage, Bangladesh currently occupies the second position in the group standings with 4 points. While Netherlands and Nepal remain contenders in the competition, Bangladesh maintains an advantageous position ahead of them in the race for progression.
