Shakib Al Hasan Creates History: First Bowler With 50 wickets in T20 World Cup

Bangladeshi experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan created history by becoming the first player to take 50 wickets in the ICC T20 World Cup. On 22nd June 2024, the 37-year-old star cricketer achieved this exceptional record against India in the Super 8s of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Do you know who is the batter to become the victim of Shakib Al Hasan’s 50th wicket? It’s none other than the great Hitman— Rohit Sharma, who was trapped in Shakib Al Hasan’s 42nd match in the T20 World Cup. Shakib’s brilliance concluded the Indian skipper’s explosive opening innings of 23 runs from 11 balls (including 3 fours and 1 six within the powerplay overs.

India managed to post a total of 196-5 in 20 overs, riding on the heroic knocks of Hardik Pandya’s 27-ball-50. In response, the Bangladesh batters failed to chase the target and surrendered themselves to a low score of 146-8 in 20 overs. The Bangladeshi skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto showed resistance to India’s toughest bowling attack by scoring 40 runs from 32 balls (including 1 four and 3 sixes).

Although Bangladesh lost the match by 50 runs, it was a memorable moment for Shakib to attain a unique milestone in his career. Consequently, Shakib finds himself comfortably at the leading position in the list of highest wicket-takers in the T20 World Cup.

How did Shakib Al Hasan claim his 50th wicket in the T20 World Cup?

In the 4th over of the 1st innings bowled by Shakib Al Hasan, the Indian opener Rohit Sharma was lured to strike the ball hard, but ended up pulling out the ball with the edge of the bat. As a result, the ball was safely caught by Jaker Ali and marked Rohit’s dismissal at 39-1 in 3.4 overs of the match.

However, Shakib Al Hasan proved to be expensive by conceding 37 runs in 3 wickets and took a single wicket of Rohit Sharma.

List of Top 10 Highest Wicket Takers in T20 World Cup 2024

Starting from Shakib Al Hasan to Trent Boult, here are the top 10 bowlers who have achieved the most number of wickets in their T20 World Cup career so far and the stats are tabulated below:

NOTE: The above-mentioned stats are updated as of the latest match between Australia and India in the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2024 on 24th June (Monday). 

Shakib Al Hasan Stats in T20 internationals (T20Is)

In 128 matches, Shakib Al Hasan took 149 wickets at an average of 20.79, a bowling strike rate of 18.26, and an economy of 6.83. It includes his best bowling figures of 5-20 in 4 overs against West Indies on 20th June 2018.

Conclusion

Shakib Al Hasan and Rohit Sharma are the only two international cricketers who have made their appearances in all nine editions of the T20 World Cup. Coincidentally, Shakib Al Hasan claimed his 50th wicket that came off Rohit Sharma’s bat, highlighting the exceptional record on a global stage.

Former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi ranks behind Shakib Al Hasan in the list of highest wicket-taking bowlers in the T20 World Cup, while the ex-Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga holds the 3rd spot.

The present generation of cricketers namely Wanindu Hasaranga (37 wickets), Adam Zampa (36 wickets), Saeed Ajmal (36 wickets), and Tim Southee (36 wickets) are far behind Shakib’s record. Therefore, these bowlers have to play another two to three editions to achieve their 50th wicket in T20 World Cup. Finally, fans are eager to watch Shakib Al Hasan play another edition of the T20 World Cup and enjoy the star cricketer achieving many sensational records in his career.