Shakib’s Exceptional Bowling and Batting Seal Team’s Victory

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan produced a stellar all-round performance in his third match of the IL T20 tournament, helping MI Emirates secure a four-wicket win over the Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

After struggling in his first two matches—scoring just 16 runs off 12 balls in one game and conceding 27 and 20 runs in two overs with the ball—Shakib finally found his rhythm.

In a masterclass of disciplined bowling, Shakib bowled 4 overs for just 14 runs, claiming 2 crucial wickets. Remarkably, in 24 deliveries, he did not concede a single boundary or six, with half of his balls dot balls, demonstrating exceptional control and accuracy.

Shakib came on to bowl in the seventh over. On the final delivery, he achieved his first IL T20 wicket by stumping a Pakistani star. He followed it up immediately in the next over, taking his second wicket and putting the Desert Vipers on the back foot.

In the ninth over, Shakib produced a brilliant forward dive to take a sharp catch to dismiss English all-rounder Sam Curran. He continued his tight bowling in the eleventh and fifteenth overs, conceding just 3 runs in each, maintaining relentless pressure on the opposition.

Despite the Vipers losing 7 wickets, they managed to score 124 runs, a competitive total given Shakib’s economical spell. In reply, MI Emirates chased the target comfortably, losing 6 wickets but reaching the total with 15 balls to spare.

Shakib also contributed with the bat, remaining unbeaten on 17 runs, providing stability during the chase and guiding his team to a four-wicket victory. His performance—both with the ball and bat—was a decisive factor in the win and underlined his all-round credentials in the tournament.

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This win marks a crucial turnaround for Shakib, who had struggled in his first two appearances, and establishes him as a key performer for MI Emirates in the IL T20.