Shakib Al Hasan Joins The Elite List Of T20 Bowlers As His Exceptional Performance Leads ABF Past SKN In CPL 2025

On a humid evening in Antigua, cricket fans gathered at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium expecting another regular fixture in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. The 11th match of the season, between St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and the home side Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, promised entertainment but carried no unusual pre-match hype. Yet, by the time the floodlights dimmed and the stands began to empty, the stadium had witnessed something historic.

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s talisman and one of cricket’s finest all-rounders, became only the fifth bowler in history to claim 500 wickets in T20 cricket. More than a statistical achievement, it was a night of theatre, resilience, and the reaffirmation of Shakib’s place in cricketing folklore.

The Build-Up: One Wicket Away from Immortality

Heading into the clash, the buzz around Shakib was already noticeable. With 499 T20 wickets, he stood on the cusp of greatness. Only Rashid Khan, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, and Imran Tahir had crossed the 500 mark before him.

The Falcons, sitting near the top of the table, knew the spotlight would be on their star all-rounder. The Patriots, meanwhile, were desperate for a win to kick-start their stuttering campaign. Against this backdrop, the game unfolded with the perfect mix of tension and narrative.

The Drama of the 500th Wicket

The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived in the 15th over of the Patriots’ innings. Shakib, operating with his trademark calm, sent down a delivery that induced a mis-hit. At long-on, Jayden Seales produced a spectacular diving effort and claimed what looked like a certain catch.

The Falcons erupted. Shakib raised his arms. The crowd celebrated the milestone. But cricket, with its cruel love for drama, had another twist. Replays showed Seales’s boot had brushed the boundary rope. The “wicket” turned into six runs.

Many players might have wilted under the weight of such a near-miss. But Shakib is cut from a different cloth. Just a few balls later, he struck gold. Mohammad Rizwan, the Patriots’ linchpin, misjudged a dipping delivery. Shakib reacted in a flash, diving forward to complete a sharp return catch.

This time, there was no interruption, no technicality. The record was his. The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium erupted, his teammates rushed in, and Shakib Al Hasan entered the pantheon of T20 greats with his 500th wicket.

More Than Just One Wicket: Shakib’s Spell of Fire

What followed proved why Shakib is not merely about numbers. After securing the milestone, he returned with renewed confidence. In his next over, he ripped through the Patriots’ resistance, removing Kyle Mayers with a clever arm-ball and then outsmarting Navin Bidaisee with a delivery that skidded through.

His final figures read: 2 overs, 3 wickets for 11 runs. In an era where T20 economy rates hover around 8 or 9, Shakib’s ability to combine penetration with frugality was staggering.

By the end of the innings, the Patriots were strangled at 133/9, well short of a competitive target. Shakib didn’t just reach 500 wickets—he finished the night on 502, underlining his appetite to keep going.

The Chase: Shakib the Batter Joins the Party

Chasing 134, the Falcons got a solid start through Jewel Andrew and Rahkeem Cornwall. But when a couple of quick wickets brought unease into the dressing room, the stage was once again set for Shakib.

Initially, his innings looked scratchy—just 3 runs from 7 balls. Then, with the poise of a man who thrives in pressure, he shifted gears. A towering six down the ground brought the crowd alive, followed by a cheeky reverse sweep that zipped away to the boundary. His 25 off 18 wasn’t headline-grabbing, but it was decisive. It broke the back of the chase, leaving the finishing job far simpler.

The final touches came from Karima Gore, whose unbeaten 52 off 47 balls sealed the deal with two balls to spare. The Falcons walked away with a seven-wicket win, cementing their place at the top of the CPL table. But the night belonged, unquestionably, to Shakib.

The Elite Club: Legends of 500 Wickets

Shakib’s entry into the 500-wicket club places him among a select group of bowlers who have redefined T20 cricket:

Dwayne Bravo (615) – The master of slower balls and death overs, a CPL legend himself.
Rashid Khan (556) – Afghanistan’s golden boy, the face of T20 spin wizardry.
Sunil Narine (546) – The mystery spinner whose variations baffled batters worldwide.
Imran Tahir (511) – The eternal celebrator, running laps after each dismissal.
Shakib Al Hasan (502 and counting) – The complete package: control, guile, and unmatched all-round value.

That Shakib, primarily seen as an all-rounder, has joined this list speaks volumes of his bowling longevity and consistency. Unlike some specialists who focus solely on their bowling craft, Shakib has shouldered dual responsibilities for nearly two decades.

A Career of Resilience and Reinvention

Shakib’s journey to 500 wickets is also a story of reinvention. From his early days as Bangladesh’s bright young star, he has consistently adapted to the evolving demands of T20 cricket.

In his early years, he relied on classic left-arm orthodox spin, nagging accuracy, and subtle flight.
As batters grew more aggressive, he added quicker darts, flatter trajectories, and clever angles.
In recent years, he has mastered the art of reading batters’ intentions, using variations in pace more than in spin.

Each phase of his career has demanded reinvention, and Shakib has responded, ensuring his relevance across leagues and continents.

The Fans’ Reactions: A Night to Remember

Social media exploded the moment Shakib reached the milestone. From former players to cricket boards, tributes poured in.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) called it a “proud day for Bangladesh cricket.”
Teammates past and present hailed his longevity, with Mushfiqur Rahim tweeting: “500 wickets, countless memories. A true legend of our times.”
In the Caribbean, Falcons fans sang his name as he left the field, a reminder of how deeply respected he is beyond his homeland.

For the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium crowd, many of whom had come just to enjoy a league game, it turned into a night they would tell stories about for years.

Why This Milestone Matters

In the T20 universe, dominated by power-hitting and batting fireworks, milestones for bowlers are hard-earned. Reaching 500 wickets is not just about longevity; it’s about surviving in an era where bowlers are constantly under assault.

Shakib’s achievement also shines a light on the often-underappreciated role of spinners in T20 cricket. While seamers grab attention at the death, spinners like Shakib build pressure, force errors, and turn matches with their control. His journey proves that skill and intelligence can triumph even in batter-friendly formats.

CPL 2025: Falcons Soaring High

Beyond the personal milestone, the win was vital for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. With Shakib firing on both fronts and Gore anchoring the chase, the team now sits comfortably atop the CPL table. Their balance—power hitters, steady anchors, and match-winning bowlers—makes them early title favorites.

For the Patriots, however, the loss deepens their woes. Their inability to build partnerships and counter Shakib’s brilliance left them reeling. Unless their senior players step up, their campaign risks fading quickly.

Shakib’s Place in History

At 38, many cricketers would be contemplating retirement. Shakib, however, continues to add new chapters to his already illustrious career. From captaining Bangladesh in multiple formats to starring in leagues across the globe, his hunger remains undimmed.

The 500-wicket milestone doesn’t just secure his legacy—it elevates it. Few players in history have combined batting and bowling excellence with such consistency. In a sport that often celebrates specialists, Shakib stands tall as perhaps the greatest true all-rounder of the T20 era.

A Night That Belonged to Shakib

When Karima Gore hit the winning boundary, the scoreboard read: Falcons win by seven wickets. But the real story wasn’t just about the result. It was about the sight of Shakib Al Hasan walking off the ground, arms raised, teammates applauding, fans chanting his name.

It was about a boy from Magura, Bangladesh, who grew into a global icon. About resilience, reinvention, and relentless excellence. About joining an elite club of legends who have shaped T20 cricket.

August 24, 2025, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium wasn’t just another CPL night. It was a golden evening etched into cricket history—a night when Shakib Al Hasan became immortal in the world of T20 bowling.

Please check for information on the best betting sites in India – https://selectory.org/best-betting-sites/