• Shakib Al Hasan guided Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to a seven-wicket win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

  • Shakib etched his name in history by becoming only the fifth bowler to achieve this feat in T20 cricket.

Shakib Al Hasan joins the elite list of T20 bowlers as his exceptional performance leads ABF past SKN in CPL 2025
Shakib Al Hasan joins the elite list of T20 bowlers as his exceptional performance leads ABF past SKN in CPL 2025 (Image source: X)

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The 11th match of the Caribbean Premier League 2025 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on August 24 wasn’t expected to be anything out of the ordinary. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons looked like just another contest on paper. But by the end of the night, the stadium had witnessed history. Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s cricketing icon, etched his name in golden letters by becoming only the fifth bowler in history to achieve this feat in T20 cricket. And while the Falcons’ seven-wicket victory was convincing in itself, it was Shakib’s all-round brilliance that turned this game into a landmark evening for cricket.

Shakib Al Hasan makes into the elite list of T20 bowlers

Shakib entered the match knowing he needed just one wicket to reach the magical 500 mark. The moment arrived in the 15th over, but not before some drama. His third delivery seemed to have given him the record when Jayden Seales grabbed what looked like a sensational catch at the boundary — only for replays to show that his foot had brushed the rope. Six runs, not a wicket.

For most players, such a near-miss would have piled on the pressure. For Shakib, it was just a delay. A few balls later, he dived forward to complete a sharp return catch off Mohammad Rizwan. With that, the stadium erupted, the Falcons’ teammates mobbed him, and Shakib joined an exclusive club alongside Rashid Khan, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, and Imran Tahir.

But he wasn’t done yet. Returning for another over, Shakib struck twice more — removing Kyle Mayers and Navin Bidaisee — finishing with a staggering 3 for 11 in just two overs. The Patriots were left stranded at 133/9, and Shakib walked off with his arms aloft, the proud owner of 502 T20 wickets.

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Antigua and Barbuda Falcons cruise home against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Chasing 134, the Falcons started brightly through Jewel Andrew and Rahkeem Cornwall, who kept things steady in the powerplay. But as the innings wore on, wickets began to fall, and the Patriots sniffed a chance.

That was when Shakib, once again, took center stage. His start with the bat was scratchy, just three runs from seven balls, but then he unleashed. A towering six straight down the ground, a cheeky reverse sweep for four — suddenly the chase had fresh momentum. His 25 off 18 wasn’t the highest score, but it broke the back of the chase, leaving the lower order with a far easier task.

From there, Karima Gore took over. Calm, assured, and determined, he guided the Falcons with a measured 52* off 47 balls, sealing victory with a boundary that also brought up his fifty. The Falcons got home with two balls to spare, cementing their place at the top of the CPL standings.

Also READ: Kieron Pollard sizzles as Trinbago Knight Riders pip Saint Lucia Kings in CPL 2025

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About the Author:
AKASH THAPA
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.