On this day in 2019: Shakib Al Hasan’s all-round show drowns West Indies
Bangladesh have always started as underdogs in ICC tournaments, however, they have got the knack of producing upsets with some breath-taking performances. On this day (June 17), in the 2019 World Cup against West Indies, Bangladesh produced a similar kind of performance and took the cricketing world by storm.
Bangladesh opted to bowl first after winning the toss and they got the big wicket of Chris Gayle for a 13-ball duck. Evin Lewis (70) and Shai Hope (96) steadied the ship with a 116-run partnership for the second wicket while Shimron Hetmyer’s (50) quickfire half-century ensured West Indies were nearing a big total.
Jason Holder provided the final touches with a 17-ball 33 as West Indies ended up with a massive 321 for 8 in their 50 overs. Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur Rahman both picked up three wickets each while Shakib picked up two wickets for Bangladesh.
Chasing a big total, the openers Tamim Iqbal (48) and Soumya Sarkar (29) started off well with a half-century partnership for the first wicket. However, Bangladesh were reduced to 133 for 3 in the 19th over, and the onus was on in form batter Shakib Al Hasan to take his side home alongside Litton Das.
The duo stitched a 189-run partnership for the fourth wicket and plundered the West Indian bowling attack to all parts to win the game in just 41.3 overs. Shakib was the star of the show as he remained unbeaten on 124 off 99 deliveries with 16 fours, while Das played an excellent hand as well with a 69- ball 94 that included eight fours and four sixes.
Shakib was awarded the Player of the Match for his brilliance with both bat and ball and certainly, it was not the first time that Bangladesh stunned a side with their scintillating performance.
