After two consecutive defeats to start their Max 60 campaign in the Caribbean, Miami Blaze finally found their spark thanks to a vintage all-round display from Shakib Al Hasan.
The Bangladesh star played a pivotal role in a 13-run win over Grand Cayman Falcons in George Town on 18 July.
Sent in to bat after losing the toss, Miami opened with Shakib and Shrivats Goswami. While Goswami departed early for 5, Shakib wasted no time asserting himself. He smashed 29 runs off just 11 balls at a staggering strike rate of 263.64, hitting three boundaries and two sixes. His innings set the tone for the Blaze, as they raced to 110 for 5 in their 10 overs.
Shakib’s fireworks came early in the innings. In the second over, he took on Jack Jarvis, striking two fours and a six for a 19-run over. He continued the assault against Saurin Thaker with another four and six in the next. Though he didn’t face a ball in the fourth over where Angelo Perera struck four boundaries, Shakib eventually fell attempting another big shot, caught at long-off off Malinda Pushpakumara.
Sri Lankan batter and Blaze skipper Angelo Perera carried the momentum, hammering 45 off 22 balls with five fours and two sixes. Despite the strong start, the Blaze innings lost some steam towards the end, with Shehan Jayasuriya and Tom O’Connell unable to capitalise. Still, the total proved sufficient.
In reply, Falcons faltered early and never quite recovered. Chirag Gandhi top-scored with 25, while Ronaldo Ali Mohamed and Chandrapaul Hemraj added 16 and 14 respectively. Shakib returned with the ball in the seventh over, conceding 10 runs, but struck in his second over, removing Ali Mohamed in the ninth.
Shehan Jayasuriya proved crucial with the ball, claiming three wickets including two off consecutive deliveries to break the Falcons’ backbone. Despite late resistance, the required rate proved too much, and Miami sealed a 13-run win.
Shakib finished with 1 for 19 from 2 overs, complementing his rapid 29 with the bat.