Shakib, the southpaw all-rounder, displayed a tremendous all-round performance both in batting and bowling while scoring 42 runs and taking five wickets conceding 20 runs— his best-ever bowling performance in the shortest format of the game.
Despite his own heroics, Shakib did not forget to credit his teammates as he said after the match: “In the first match, we batted with no plan as we tried to hit the ball with more pace than they (Windies) were delivering at. But this time around, we batter sensibly well and made big partnerships which helped us to come up victorious.”
Bangladesh lost the first wicket with 42 runs on the board. They lost Tamim Iqbal as the first wicket to fall. But, Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar stretched the second wicket stand to 68 runs which gave the Tigers the primary foundation of scoring a big total. Shakib and Mahmudullah Riyad utilize the platform with great care as they added 91 runs on the board at the fifth wicket stand.
“The big partnerships that we made today were the key behind our success. Now, we have all the chances to win the series. It was not easy to win over the Caribbeans in Sylhet because of the unfamiliarity with the venue. But we don't have that problem here in Dhaka. And the support we get in Mirpur is always good for us.” Shakib said at the post-match press conference.
After posting 211 runs on the board, which was Bangladesh’s best in T20 against the West Indies and the highest score of Mirpur in the shortest format, Bangladesh bowled superbly well.
“The courage we have after scoring 211 in the first innings of the match, helped us to bowl well and to execute in a better way,” Shakib further said.
There was uncertainty over Shakib’s participation in the match as he was suffering from fever and cold before the match day. But, he opted to play the game as Bangladesh were in a dire need to win the game to stay alive in the match. Despite not being 100 per cent fit, Shakib recorded one his best performance in Bangladesh’s T20I history.
“I think it was my best bowling in the shortest format of the game. I have five-fors in Tests and ODIs, now I got it in T20 as well. It really feels good. I am happy with the way I bowled in the match, and I am also satisfied with my batting. I think I have been batting well throughout the series.” Shakib added.