Even though captain Souleymane Diabate scored the decisive goal to power Mohammedan to a 1-0 win over holders Bashundhara Kings in their Bangladesh Premier League encounter in Cumilla yesterday, it was substitute goalkeeper Shakib Al Hasan who stole the show with a valiant display.

Shakib came on to the pitch in the 25th minute of the game after first-choice goalkeeper Sujan Hossain was given marching order following a foul on Kings forward Rakib Hossain just outside the box. The 20-year-old goalkeeper then turned himself into a wall under the Mohammedan bar, denying numerous efforts from the Kings forwards.

Shakib, who has been with Mohammedan for five seasons now, frustrated Bashundhara Kings by foiling efforts from Mohammad Sohel Rana in the 45th minute, Jonathan Fernandes in the 55th minute, Jared Khasa in the 83rd minute and Miguel Ferriera in the 90th minute.

Mohammedan could have widened the margin but Kings goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon also made a couple of good saves including a spot-kick from Diabate.

"No doubt, everyone has contributed in this important victory as all players gave their best in a bid to win the match following a defeat against them in the Challenge Cup. However, goalkeeper Shakib played really well coming from the bench and making some brilliant saves. He is our second-choice goalkeeper and has good potential if he can carry on this performance," Mohammedan coach Alfaz Ahmed told The Daily Star over phone on way back to Dhaka after the match.

Soleymane Diabate scored the winning goal. Photo: BFF

"Shakib, who was picked from BKSP through a trial, was our real hero in our 1-0 win over Kings in a league match last season. I think he performed better in that match compared to this one," said Alfaz, adding that Shakib has been improving under goalkeeping coach Syed Hasan Kanon.

"Before entering the pitch, coach Kanon bhai told me that a goalkeeper could turn a match by keeping his cool and performing well. I tried to implement the instructions of my coach," Shakib told The Daily Star over phone.

Shakib, who only played for BKSP in 2nd Division Football League, has so far played nine league matches since 2021-22 season as a substitute goalkeeper but is now looking forward to cementing his place in the starting eleven of Mohammedan and get a call from the national team after being part of Bangladesh U-23 team in 2023.

When asked about his name being identical to a celebrity cricketer, how the goalkeeper informed: "My original name was Mohammad Shakib Hossain, but my school teacher changed it to Shakib Al Hasan during the registration for PSC exams. Since then I'm known as Shakib Al Hasan."