Georgetown, Guyana –West Indies leg-spinner made a dream start to his Test career when he grabbed four crucial wickets in his first bowl which occurred on Friday the 13th at the Guyana National Stadium.
The 25-year-old was the main weapon for the home side and ended with 4-60 as Pakistan were dismissed for 160 in the First Digicel Test.
This gave the Windies a lead of 66 on first innings. By the close they reached 34-2 in the second innings – an overall lead of 100, with three days left in the contest.
"It felt great to perform the way I did here at home. I always give my best, whenever I take the field and to get four in my first bowl, on home soil, is a special feeling," Bishoo said.
"I tried to stick to what I normally do. I came here today and I knew once I got the ball in the right areas I would get some wickets. When I came on to bowl I didn’t look too far ahead. 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."
Bishoo’s first Test wicket was Pakistani skipper Misbah ul-Haq, who was trapped leg-before.
"I wanted to do well. Here at home a lot of people have been giving me great support so I wanted to get wickets and say thanks. My first wicket was a relief. It was a relief to get one in the bag. I knew I got him ‘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."
West Indies Head Coach Ottis Gibson said he was pleased with Bishoo’s approach and the overall commitment of the team. Bishoo was well supported by Ravi Rampaul, with three wickets on his return to the Test stage, and skipper Darren Sammy, who got two crucial wickets.
"Judging from his debut in World Cup a few months back he has showed signs of being a very intelligent bowler. He showed he has the ability to handle himself when he’s put under pressure and that’s a very good sign," Gibson said of Bishoo.
"He only had 226 to bowl at but he didn’t show any nerves. He has been very adaptable and handled the situation very well. Today, Umar Akmal came at him quite hard and he responded very well. He varied his pace and demonstrated he knows exactly what he’s doing."