'Enjoy batting at number 4'

MAHMUDULLAH RIYAD

Since his debut in international cricket close to a decade ago Mahmudullah Riyad has batted in a number of positions. There were times when he played with the tail and ensured a good finish and then there were times when he was asked to bat in the middle order.

In the last two years though, it seems as though the batsman has finally found a position in the team that suits him the best. He has been batting at number four for a while now and the result has been brilliant. He now averages 74.12 at number four -- the highest ever for a Bangladeshi in this position. 

"I will play at whatever position my team wants me to. But yes, at the moment I am enjoying number four quite a bit. It is working for me. But that does not mean that I will keep playing here. I am a team player," he said.

Speaking about yesterday's game at Mirpur, in which the Tigers edged through towards the end, Riyad admitted that the hosts were a bit rusty in their first ODI after nearly 10 months.

"When we keep playing matches, we have the momentum with us. No matter how much we work on our fitness levels, match fitness at the international level is a completely different thing. Hopefully we can overcome that obstacle and do well in the next two matches," Riyad told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

"I think because we were playing our first ODI in 10 months, our fielding was a bit rusty. That's why we did a few fielding drills today (Monday)," he added.

He also was not too happy with the way he got out. Having already battled out the initial stages, Riyad looked in sublime touch. However, he fell while attempting to up the run-rate in the 40th over following his half-century.

"I had told myself that since this was the 40th over and the last of the Powerplay.  I told myself that I would go for the hit if the ball was in my zone. Unfortunately I couldn't execute my plan. I think I should have carried on my innings from there and that would have covered up for the runs our team lost. I thought 280 was a good score on that wicket and we were 20 runs short," he explained.