Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan starred with both bat and ball, that too in his very first game for Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League T20 2019, but it was Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots who had the last laugh Saturday (Sept 28) night in Bridgetown.
The Tigers Test and T20I captain came into the playing XI in place of Roshon Primus and put in an all-round show to take Barbados on the verge of victory.
However, St Kitts and Nevis just about held their nerve as they pipped Barbados by only one run.
Batting first, St Kitts and Nevis posted 149 losing seven wickets in their stipulated 20 overs with Shakib leading the way, taking one wicket conceding just 14 runs in his quota of four overs, including a maiden.
The 32-year-old came on to bowl the very first over, which was a maiden, before leaking just four runs in the third over of the innings.
The left-arm spinner gave away only six runs in the ninth over of the innings before bowling his last six deliveries in the 17th over where he conceded just four runs and bagged the important wicket of Patriots captain Carlos Brathwaite, who was trapped in front.
In reply, the Tridents were all out for 148 in their allotted 20 overs, Shakib again leading from the front with the highest 38 for his side.
The left-handed batsman faced 25 deliveries in his innings and struck three fours and a six.
The southpaw fell 12 short of his 20th T20 half-century when he was caught by Shamarh Brooks off the bowling of Brathwaite.
In the process, St Kitts and Nevis qualified for the playoffs, alongside Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders.