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Shakib Al Hasan Records Career-Best Figures In India With A Clinical Four-Fer In Kanpur Test

Shakib’s final Test in India ends with record figures [Source: PTI]Shakib’s final Test in India ends with record figures [Source: PTI]

In a pulsating Test match in Kanpur that saw fortunes swing like a pendulum, Shakib Al Hasan delivered a spell to remember, marking his final appearance on Indian soil with career-best figures. Despite the hosts, India, staging a magnificent counterattack to take control of the game, Shakib stood tall, taking 4/78, his best figures in India in Test cricket.

Shakib's Final Flourish On Indian Soil

His stellar performance was not just a silver lining for Bangladesh but also a momentous personal milestone as he edges closer to hanging up his Test boots.

India's response to Bangladesh's modest first innings total of 233 was nothing short of electrifying. Skipper Rohit Sharma and the young Yashasvi Jaiswal took the game by the scruff of the neck, adding 50 runs in just three overs.

Rohit set the tone by hitting his first two deliveries for sixes, racing to 23 off just 11 balls. Jaiswal, too, was in blistering form, hammering a rapid 72 off 51 balls. However, it was Shakib's introduction that saw the tide turn, as he stemmed the flow of runs, sending Shubman Gill back to the pavilion for 39 after a 72-run stand with Jaiswal.

The seasoned all-rounder then removed Rishabh Pant, who failed to fire, managing just nine runs. Shakib wasn't done yet as he broke a threatening partnership by cleaning up the talismanic Virat Kohli, who scored a valuable 47 off 35 balls. Kohli's dismissal brought Bangladesh back into the game, but KL Rahul's much-needed knock of 68 from 43 deliveries kept India on the front foot.

Shakib's final wicket of Ravichandran Ashwin capped off a performance that was as gritty as it was impactful.

Bangladesh's spinners endured a challenging day. Shakib and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4/41 in 6.4 overs) proved expensive but effective, sharing eight wickets between them.

Can Bangladesh Turn the Tables in Their Second Innings?

India declared their innings at 285/9, taking a slender lead of 52 runs. In a match where records tumbled—India smashing the fastest team 50, 100, and 150 in Test history—it was Shakib's wizardry with the ball that has kept Bangladesh in the hunt.

With rain robbing the game of two days' play, Bangladesh now face an uphill task in their second innings, with the entirety of Day 5 still to come.