Cricketers of the Week: 4th June – 11th June

It has been a great week of ODI cricket as the Champions Trophy in England pitted the top eight nations in the world against each other. The tournament which seemed like a washout early on came alive in the second half as three Asian teams made it to the semi-finals with two lower ranked teams viz. Bangladesh and Pakistan, making it to the surprise of everyone.

There was plenty of cricket and plenty of great performances. Here we take a look at the top cricketers of the week.

#1 Shikhar Dhawan

There is something about Dhawan and ICC events. A testament to that is the fact that the Indian opener became the fastest player to score 1000 runs in ICC events breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.

Dhawan, who scored a half-century against Pakistan and a century against Sri Lanka continued his fine form with a reliable, supremely well-controlled 78 off 83 balls to steer the chase against South Africa as India romped home to 193, winning the game by eight wickets.

This was a must-win game for India and Dhawan, who is the leading run-scorer in the tournament so far, ensured India make it to the semi-final, where they will clash against Bangladesh. Dhawan has already added a couple of century partnerships, 136 and 138 with his long-standing opening partner Rohit Sharma, who has scored two half-centuries himself.

#2 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib: Bangladesh’s super-star

Bangladesh’s talismanic superstar did it again, pulling them out of the jaws of defeat and giving them a remarkable victory that took them to their first semi-final in an ICC event.

Batting first at Cardiff, New Zealand amassed 265. In reply, Bangladesh were down and out at 12 for 3 and then 33 for 4. However, they had their star all-rounder still to make a statement. Shakib played aggressive cricket during his 115-ball 114 with 11 fours and a six, adding a massive 224 runs for the fifth wicket with Mahmudullah. He fell at the end but only after steering the Bangla Tigers to the doorstep of victory.

This was also Bangladesh’s biggest ODI partnership.

#3 Mahmudullah

Mahmudullah is Bangladesh’s Mr. Calm.

The other half of Bangladesh’s record-breaking partnership, Mahmudullah’s calm and collected presence helped and complemented Shakib’s aggression. He scored his third century in an ICC event, a special stat, while scoring an unbeaten 107-ball 102 runs.

The 31-year-old walked in with the score on 33 for 4 and saw Bangladesh through even after Shakib’s departure, getting Bangladesh valuable points that helped them waltz into the semi-final. This was after Tim Southee’s initial burst with the new ball which ripped through the Bangladesh top-order.

We have to give it to Mahmudullah for a rare century from the number six spot in a match-saving effort.

#4 Rashid Khan

Afghanistan’s first superstar cricketer

Afghanistan have found their first international star in the form of young leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Chasing 212 in the first ODI, West Indies were all out for 149 thanks to what would be one of Afghanistan bowlers’ most special spells of all time.

The leg-spinner who turned heads in the IPL this year finished with an unbelievable match figure of 8.4-1-18-7, running through the West Indies middle and lower order as they descended from 68/2 to 149 all out. The 19-year-old also performed exceptionally well in the second ODI against the hosts who held on to a win by the skin of their teeth.

#5 Ben Stokes

Probably the world’s best all-rounder

Chasing 278 in Birmingham, England were in trouble at 35 for 3 against arch-rivals Australia, when Stokes walked in. Let-off early, Stokes rode his luck and made Australia pay for their mistakes.

The English all-rounder smashed a 109-ball 102 remaining unbeaten when the match was stopped due to rain with England on 240 for 4; they won by 40 runs (D/L). Stokes, who smashed 13 fours and 2 sixes, added 159 runs for the fourth wicket with his skipper Eoin Morgan. Stokes was expensive with the ball but picked the big wicket of Aaron Finch earlier in the day to halt Australia’s batting juggernaut, which at one point looked set to breach the 300-mark.

#6 Mark Wood

Mark Wood: Sharp and reliable

It was Mark Wood, who paved the way for England’s famous win at Birmingham in the Champions Trophy against arch-rivals Australia. Wood got the dangerous David Warner early before picking Australia’s skipper Steve Smith, who seemed to be in excellent touch.

Wood then got the dangerous Glenn Maxwell. That is when the collapse began as the Men in Yellow went from 239 for 4 in the 43^rd over to 277 for 9 at the end of 50 overs. Apart from the four wickets, Wood was also sensational with his economy – connceding a mere 33 runs from his 10 overs. Adil Rashid gave him excellent support proving his worth by finishing with four wicket himself.