West Indies coach Ottis Gibson has hailed Devendra Bishoo for the maturity that he has shown since his entry onto the international scene.
The 25-year-old leg-spinner finished with four wickets on his Test debut to help bowl Pakistan out for 160, and hand West Indies a 66-run, first innings lead on the second day of the opening Test at the Guyana National Stadium.
“Judging from his debut in the World Cup a few months back, he has showed signs of being a very intelligent bowler,” said Gibson.
“He showed he has the ability to handle himself when he’s put under pressure, and that’s a very good sign.”
Bishoo trapped Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq lbw to claim his first Test wicket, and proceeded to scalp Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Salman, and Umar Akmal to transform the fortunes of West Indies.
“He only had 226 at which to bowl, but he didn’t show any nerves,” said Gibson. “He has been very adaptable, and handled the situation very well.
“Umar Akmal came at him quite hard, and he responded very well. He varied his pace, and demonstrated that he knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Bishoo’s entry into Tests has been made extra special because it has come in his native Guyana, and he admitted feeling the pressure to perform.
“I wanted to do well,” he said.
“Here at home, a lot of people have been giving me great support, so I wanted to get wickets as my way to say thanks.
“My first wicket was a relief. It was a relief to get one in the bag. I knew I got (Misbah) ‘dead’ in front.
“He’s the main batsman, so to get him so early on was a great feeling. The team needed me to come in and do the job at that stage, and I was happy I delivered.”
Bishoo added that he did nothing out of the ordinary, and just tried to bowl as many deliveries as possible in the right areas, while varying his pace.
“When I came on to bowl, I didn’t look too far ahead,” he said. “I concentrated on what I wanted to do with each ball, and how I would attack each batsman.
“I got a lot of support from the guys on the field, and everyone in the dressing room. It was also good the crowd was behind me.”
By the close, West Indies were 34 for two in the second innings – an overall lead of 100 – with three days left in the match.
