Shakib Al Hasan鈥檚 participation in the two-Test series against Pakistan drew protests at home over his political ties to a dissolved political party.
Despite such a scenario, the southpaw took three crucial wickets along with Mehidy Hasan Miraz's 4-21 to propel the Tigers to a historic 10-wicket win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Though Shakib's bowling was criticised in the first innings for not being able to yield a good figure of 1-100, he also performed poorly with the willow.
But his mentor and current Bangladesh Cricket Board director, Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, was not surprised by Shakib's bowling performance on the final day of the first Test, saying his former pupil's ability to keep out all outside noise sets him apart.
鈥楬e [Shakib] has nothing else on his mind. He only thinks about the batter and where to bowl. He may worry about those things at other times, but not while he is bowling. This is what separates him from others. We see others struggling to play their natural game after some incidents or facing criticism. That's not the case for Shakib,鈥� Fahim told reporters at Mirpur on Monday.
Fahim also observed that against Pakistan, Shakib seemingly got over his hump against left-handers and regained lost confidence.
鈥榃e have seen Shakib feel uncomfortable bowling against left-hander before. But we didn't see that yesterday. He bowled like a proper Test bowler.
鈥榃henever he was handed the ball, he bowled to take wickets. He spoke with others as well and was giving Miraz suggestions. He was totally involved. I think he also enjoyed it. Recently, he was unhappy with his bowling, but I think it has gone away; he has regained his confidence.'
The second and final Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh starts at the same venue on August 30.聽