Did Shakib's twenty whistle stop here?
Shakib Al Hasan was answering all the questions with a smile at the press conference in Kanpur. It was not yet understood that in no time the storm would rise in the press conference room of Green Park.
Did Shakib's twenty whistle stop here?
Shakib Al Hasan was answering all the questions with a smile at the press conference in Kanpur. It was not yet understood that in no time the storm would rise in the press conference room of Green Park.
After Shakib announced his retirement from Test and T20, that 'storm' arose! The chaotic situation with discussions, whispers and questions coming from all sides of the journalists was clearly understood by listening to the audio of the press conference. Shakib is the center of the storm, and everyone knows that the center of the storm is calm. Shakib was also calm.
Shakib made his debut in this edition in 2006, a year after the start of T20 International. A little older cricket lovers can only remember, at that time it was being said about Shakib that he is a 'utility cricketer' because he is good at batting and bowling. We want such a cricketer in T20!
After 18 years, when Shakib announced at a press conference in Kanpur today that he had played the last match for Bangladesh in the last T20 World Cup, what do we see when we look at his career in this cricket of the twenties? 2551 runs in 127 innings in 129 T20Is, average 23.19 and strike rate 121.18. In bowling, he got 149 wickets in 126 innings. Bowling average 20.91 with an economy rate of 6.81 and a strike rate of 18.4. 5 wickets for 20 runs best bowling in the innings.
But these are just statistics. Just as numbers never lie, numbers don't always mean everything. For example, some may already be regretting, could have retired with 150 wickets in T20!
"I think I played my last T20 match in the World Cup.
Shakib Al Hasan at a press conference in Kanpur today.
Why Shakib couldn't or didn't want to is his personal matter. But Bangladesh can salute the third highest wicket taker in T20 International. New Zealand's Tim Southee tops all with just 15 wickets more. The difference with the second Rashid Khan is only 3 wickets. The regret will wake up. But there is no shortage of cows. In this edition, no one except Shakib has 'double' with 2000 runs and 100 wickets.
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On December 7, 2014, Shakib first topped the T20 all-rounders' rankings. The following year, on January 12, he became the first cricketer to top the all-rounder rankings in all three editions at the same time. Shakib topped the all-rounders' rankings for the longest time in T20Is from October 2022 to July 2023. He last climbed to the top again in June this year.
{After six months-a year if BCB feels I have a chance to contribute in T20s, I am performing and fit, then we can decide.
Shakib Al Hasan on T20I retirement announcement}
No one has had a longer career in T20 International than Shakib. This career of 17 years and 209 days is like an anecdote of joy and pain. Shakib has built the longest career in the short version with the pressure of playing three versions simultaneously for the country. Second on the list is Zimbabwean Shaun Williams (17 years 166 days), who has retired from T20I. Or Shakib tops the list of highest wicket takers at one venue in this edition. Mirpur has taken 45 wickets in 34 matches at Sherebangla Stadium. Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman is second with 2 wickets less at the same venue.
Has taken 4 wickets 8 times in T20 International, this record is surpassed only by Rashid Khan of Afghanistan - 9 times. Only New Zealand's Tim Southee has bowled more than Shakib in this edition. Southee scored 2753 balls, Shakib scored 2745 balls. Shakib also holds the record for batsmen being stumped out most times in T20I - 19 times. Shakib won the series 5 times in T20, this record is surpassed only by India's Virat Kohli - 6 times.
Shakib is currently the best cricketer of all time in Bangladesh. But due to age or whatever reason, he could not do well in the last T20 World Cup. He bowled 3 wickets in 6 innings of 7 matches. Economy Rate 7.50. He averaged 111 runs in 7 innings of batting at 18.50. Highest unbeaten 64. Last June's T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan in Kingston was Shakib's last match for the country in this edition. The reason must be known by now. Shakib said in the press conference today before the Kanpur Test, "I think I have played my last match in T20 in the World Cup."
But there is a gap in the words. He said that he can return to T20 cricket in the future if the country needs it, "After six months-one year if BCB thinks I have a chance to contribute in T20, I am performing and fit, then we can decide."
Fans will definitely be waiting for this in their hearts. Until then, Shakib's twenty whistle stopped for Bangladesh.
