Meet Bangladesh's 'best batsman, bowler and fielder'

Education is important to Shakib, a quietly spoken, articulate individual who Siddons describes as "a super athlete". He missed the Asia Cup in 2008 and is now studying English after being admitted to the American International University of Bangladesh.

"The class started on May 24 so I will have to catch up," he said. "This course will help my cricket. And I don't think I will miss too much cricket as they are keen to help me combine the two."

It is not surprising the university is encouraging his career for Shakib is now a national hero, adjusting to the constant demand for autographs and photos. When he scored 92 against Sri Lanka recently, to inspire a shock victory, he received more than 1,000 missed calls on his mobile and 700 SMS messages.

It is clear when watching Bangladesh, a team accustomed to regular defeat since their inception as a full test team in 2000, that they are still having fun on the field. And Shakib's favourite wicket of his career so far would support this belief.

"I once took the wicket of (South Africa's AB) de Villiers, which was exciting for me because he had never before been out for a duck in test cricket," Shakib said with a smile.

"We knew this before he came in and the boys were telling him `this will be your first duck'. We ran around the field afterwards and enjoyed that wicket very much."

Shakib's finest attribute may be the way he has kept a level head despite his sudden rise to fame. His coach is hopeful this will not change.

"Considering our guys are not known for being articulate or for going through the school systems, he is one out of the box," Siddons concluded.

"He can speak to people on the street or a businessmen in a boardroom. He is down to earth and unassuming. I just hope he can keep his head on his shoulders and keep moving forward."

ALSO READ

At Lord’s, Pakistan put Lahore behind, lift World T20 trophy

Zardari asks Younis to gift T20 World Cup to nation

I'm running out of superlatives: Sanga on Dilshan

Dilshan, Mathews power Lanka to Twenty20 World Cup final