Shakib Al Hasan Shows Importance Once Again for Bangladesh in Pakistan Victory
Bangladesh's impressive series at home to Pakistan continued when they won the one-off Twenty20 International, led once again by premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
The Bangladeshis celebrated their first ever T20I win over Pakistan with their seven-wicket victory, having already secured their maiden one-day international series win earlier this week.
It was a victory they could not have achieved without Al Hasan, who returned to his national team after two games in the Indian Premier League for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
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First up, his bowling came to the fore when he was handed the new ball and asked to restrict the Pakistan openers with his left-arm spin.
He finished his four overs with having conceded just 17 runs. While he did not take a wicket, his contributions early and late in the innings were vital.
In his first two overs, Al Hasan gave up just two runs, with Mushfiqur Rahim nearly stumping Mukhtar Ahmed when he attempted an enormous heave and missed.
He then returned in the 17th over for another spell, and while he conceded his first and only boundary off Mohammad Hafeez, he gave up only nine runs at a crucial time.
Then, his fourth and final over went for just six, as he managed to contain a Pakistan batting lineup that would have been desperate to push on and up their run-rate.
Al Hasan's effort was very helpful, as Pakistan could only manage 141 for five from their 20 overs, meaning Bangladesh had an infinitely reachable target ahead of them for victory.
With the bat, Al Hasan was again called upon early, as he came to the crease in the first over after debutant Soumya Sarkar was run out by Saeed Ajmal.
His side wobbled slightly as both Tamim Iqbal and Rahim were dismissed in short order, but Al Hasan held firm along with Sabbir Rahman.
The pair managed to keep up a high run-rate, with Al Hasan, in particular, starting quite slowly but then kicking on as his confidence grew.
He was a vision of calm alongside the 23-year-old Rahman, clearly enjoying the role of senior partner and ensuring that the Bangladeshi reply did not collapse.
In the end, Al Hasan hit the winning runs and finished unbeaten on 57 from 41 balls, having hit nine fours, as well.
It is something of a period of transition for Bangladesh, with a number of young players still making their way in international cricket alongside some more established individuals.
It means that the onus is on Al Hasan, still his country's top player even after being banned and returning.
He contributes so much with bat and ball and is an all-rounder in the truest sense, especially considering the leadership capabilities he also brings to the table.
Against Pakistan in this T20I, he showed exactly why he is so highly rated in international cricket and why he is so important to Bangladesh and their young team.
With a two-match Test series to follow against the same opponents, Al Hasan will want to be on top form, and Bangladesh will need him to be just that, too.
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