Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan made history on Saturday by becoming the oldest cricketer from Bangladesh to play in a Test match. At 37 years and 181 days, Shakib took the field on Day 3 of Bangladesh’s first Test against India in Chennai, surpassing the previous record held by former left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, who played his last Test at 37 years and 180 days against South Africa in Chattogram back in 2008.
Shakib, a key figure in Bangladesh cricket for over a decade, added yet another accolade to his illustrious career with this milestone. Renowned as one of the finest all-rounders in the game, his longevity and contributions have been invaluable to Bangladesh cricket. His experience remains a crucial asset for the team, especially in challenging matches like the ongoing Test against India.
While Shakib’s achievement is significant for Bangladesh, the world record for the oldest Test player still belongs to England’s Wilfred Rhodes. Rhodes played his final Test at the remarkable age of 52 years and 165 days in 1930 against the West Indies, a record that has endured through the decades. Notably, Rhodes also holds the record for the longest Test career, spanning an astonishing 30 years and 315 days.
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As Shakib stepped onto the field, Bangladesh faced a formidable Indian side. Shubman Gill was performing well, having scored his seventh Test fifty, while Rishabh Pant was nearing his 12th Test fifty, propelling India to 141 for 3 after 40 overs and extending their lead past 350 runs.
Earlier on Day 2, Jasprit Bumrah showcased his bowling prowess, taking 4 for 50 to help dismiss Bangladesh for just 149 runs in the first Test. Despite brief resistance from Shakib (32) and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das (22), Bangladesh struggled to gain momentum against India’s relentless bowling attack. With India holding a commanding position, Bangladesh faces a challenging battle as they attempt to halt India’s progress and mount a fightback.