"We have no idea about this," Mahmud had told the Dhaka-based Kaler Kantho on Wednesday. "He may have gone to Fahim bhai since he is not batting well. But we didn't know about this. [Wednesday] was travel and rest day. [Thursday] is optional training. That's why coach gave him the two-day break. He said that he had some personal matters in Dhaka. We know that much only."

Shakib reached Dhaka on Wednesday morning, going straight to the Shere Bangla National Stadium nets where Fahim met him. Shakib batted under his watch for three hours.

Shakib has struggled with the bat at this World Cup, having scored just 56 runs in four innings. He has taken six wickets so far.

Bangladesh have an afternoon training session in Kolkata on October 27, with the match against Netherlands on the following day.