Shakib Al Hasan crosses 6000 runs in ODIs, Bangladesh on top vs West Indies in ICC Cricket World Cup

Shakib Al Hasan enhanced his reputation as one of the greatest all-rounders in the game after yet another magnificent display in the game against the West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 clash in Taunton on Monday. Batting with Tamim Iqbal, in the second ball of the 15th over bowled by Oshane Thomas, Shakib chopped a short ball past wicketkeeper Shai Hope to go past 6000 runs. Shakib became the second Bangladesh player after Tamim to go past 6000 runs. While Tamim has over 6700 runs, Shakib joined him in the list, This latest achievement already makes the World Cup better for Shakib, having earlier gone past 250 wickets during the game against South Africa at The Oval at the start of the tournament. 

Shakib's 250th wicket in ODIs made him only the fifth player in ODI history to take 250 wickets and score 5000+ runs. Pakistan's Abdul Razzaq, Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, Pakistan's Shahid Afridi and South Africa's Jacques Kallis are the other cricketers to have achieved this feat. Shakib is the second-highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in ODIs behind Mashrafe Mortaza who has 264 wickets and is playing in his fifth World Cup.

Bangladesh has won just one game against South Africa at the Oval which was their second against the Proteas, having earlier won against them in the 2007 World Cup. Their game against Sri Lanka was abandoned in Bristol while they lost a close game against New Zealand at The Oval. In the game against England at Cardiff, Shakib blasted a century but Bangladesh still could not get to England's total as they lost by a big margin.

There were some doubts surrounding Shakib's fitness but the coach insisted that he is fine."Shakib is fine. He is in a great position physically. He had a little problem in Ireland but he's got over that and is raring to go. He is looking forward to a wonderful tournament. I think he's got a bit of a point to prove and he probably thinks that as well," Rhodes was quoted as saying in the ICC website.

The talented all-rounder, according to Bangladesh coach was falling off the radar a bit but is now slowly getting back to his best."He (Shakib) seems to have been a little bit forgotten but now he's back as the world's No.1 all-rounder in ODI cricket - and that's where we think he belongs. But he's got a point to prove to make sure everybody else believes that.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shakib recently took his 250th ODI wicket.
• Shakib is the second Bangladesh batsman to go past 6000 runs.
• Bangladesh has won only one game in 2019 World Cup vs South Africa.