Twitter Reactions: Shakib Al Hasan makes a grand return to international cricket with a top-class spell

Mushfiqur Rahim stayed alongside Mahmudullah to drag Bangladesh to a 6-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

By Pratyay Tiwari

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Shakib Al Hasan
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Shakib Al Hasan. (Photo by Munir Uz zaman / AFP) (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

It barely felt that Shakib al Hasan ever left the field and call it fortune or what you like, his one year ban – he failed to report a corrupt approach to authorities – coincided with Bangladesh cricket’s pandemic-enforced sabbatical. On return, he wreaked havoc, alongside debutant Hasan Mahmud, against a novice West Indies batting line up, which included as many as six debutants in Joshua Da Silva, Kyle Mayers, Nkrumah Bonner, Andre McCarthy, Chemar Holder, and Akeal Hosein, in what was a first since 2015 where a team handed five or more debuts.

Bangladesh’s skipper looked content in inviting West Indies to bat first at the overcast Shere Bangla Stadium. Mustafizur Rahman gave the early breakthroughs to his team as he struck in the second over, pinning Sunil Ambris leg before wicket before the rain interruption arrived. Though the rain stopped and the halt did not cost any reduction in the length of the match, the resumption for West Indies witnessed a different rain – of wickets. Mustafizur struck soon after the proceedings resumed, this time to undo Joshua da Silva, who fell to a spectacular catch by Liton Das in the gully, leaving his team 24 for 2.

Shakib, Mahmud skittle West Indies for 122

It did not take too long for West Indies to slip to 56 for 5 as after a brief 21-run stand between Andrew McCarthy (12 from 34) and skipper Jason Mohammed, the former failed to make a connection with Shakib’s delivery, which knocked his stumps off. Skipper Mohammed’s 36-ball 17 was soon brought to an end as keeper Mushfiqur Rahim stumped him off Shakib, whereas Nkumrah Bonner failed to trouble the scorers, and was out for a four-ball duck as he failed to defend a fuller delivery by Shakib before being adjudged LBW on review.

Kyle Mayers and Rovamnn Powell then stitched a 59-run stand for the 6th wicket before debutant Hasan Mahmud got Powell caught behind at 28 and then trapped Raymon Riefer for a golden duck to be on a hat-trick. Though the hat-trick ball was successfully evaded by Alzarri Joseph’s solid block, it did not last long as Shakib cleaned him up soon after Kyle Mayers (40 from 56) perished to Mehidy Hasan and Hasan Mahmud got Akeal Hossein caught by keeper Liton Das.

Bangladesh drags through the chase

Having skittled West Indies for 122 – their second-lowest total against Bangladesh after the 61 all out at Chattogram in October 2011, the result of the game seemed only a matter of time. However, the opponents did not serve anything to the home side on a platter.

Openers Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal sedately added 47 from 84 for the first wicket before Akeal Hosein knocked Das’ off stump down to end his 14 from 38. Despite having hardly anything to defend, West Indies’ bowlers – especially Alzarri Joseph and the young left-arm spinner Hosein – bowled with admirable control, and at one stage, froze the home side’s scoring entirely. Although, Chemar Holder lacked discipline and was duly rebuked for not being up to the mark.

Das’ end brought Najmul Hossain Shanto in the middle, who only managed a solitary run from 9 deliveries before he chipped Hosein to midwicket. Skipper Jason Mohammed struck to dismiss the opposite captain Iqbal, who was lured by a flighted delivery, only to be beaten and stumped after scoring 44 from 69 with seven fours.

Hosein got his third when he knocked over Shakib al Hasan, who fell on the last delivery of his spell, having scored 19 from 43. After adding 22 with Shakib for the fourth wicket, Mushfiqur Rahim stayed alongside Mahmudullah to drag Bangladesh to a 6-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

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