Mashrafe bids farewell to WC with praise for Shakib

LONDON, July 06 (Reuters): Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza singled out batsman Shakib Al Hasan for praise after the side's final match at the Cricket World Cup on Friday, a 94-run loss to Pakistan at Lord's.

The swashbuckling Shakib smashed 64 runs as his side stumbled to 221 all out. That took his World Cup tally to a tournament-topping 606 runs - 62 more than second-placed Rohit Sharma of India who has played one fewer innings.

"I think he's been absolutely beautiful. I really feel sorry for him, not only the whole team," Mashrafe told reporters.

"The way he played, this team could have been in a different zone than where we are standing right now. I think his is one of the best performances of all time that has been done in the World Cup."