Bangladesh cricket is set to get a glimpse of a new era in Tests when they take on hosts West Indies in the first of the two World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures from November 22 in Antigua.
Mahmudullah Riyad fell in the nervous nineties for the first time in his international career, but not before the veteran smashed a brilliant run-a-ball 98 to propel Bangladesh to 244 for eight in the series-deciding third ODI against Afghanistan in Sharjah yesterday.
Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal suddenly appeared in the press box yesterday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, just before the Tigers’ second T20I against hosts India at the venue.
Since the beginning of Bangladesh’s three-match T20I series against hosts India, there have been speculations regarding Mahmudullah Riyad’s retirement from the shortest format. Even Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) sources had revealed early on Tuesday that there was an announcement coming from Mahmudullah.
Mahmudullah Riyad became the last of the ‘big five’ of Bangladesh -- also including Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza -- to announce his retirement from T20Is on Tuesday.
Bangladesh batter Mahmudullah Riyad said on Tuesday that he had no regrets looking back on his career after the 38-year-old announced he will retire from T20Is after the completion of the ongoing three-match T20I series against India.
“Who are you comparing whom with?” Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said when a journalist asked a question drawing comparison between Mahmudullah Riyad and Shamim Patwari.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his inclusion, the 38-year-old was named in the 15-member squad announced for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, starting in Gwalior on October 6.
Veteran Mahmudullah Riyad held his spot while Mehedi Hasan Miraz made a comeback to the T20I side as Bangladesh announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against India, starting in Gwalior on October 6.
It will be interesting to see whether the criteria of the team-selection would eventually boil down to personal preferences, team combination or the need of experience. The selectors are thus in for an anxious ride in prioritising their agendas
Hours before coming to the BCB Academy Ground in Mirpur yesterday to partake in an individual practice session, Mahmudullah Riyad had posted a story on his social media accounts. It was his first session since returning from Hajj, a session which garnered the attention of the media as well.
While the national team players are enjoying a well-deserved break after the home series against Afghanistan, experienced Mahmudullah Riyad was seen at the BCB Academy ground training on his own on Wednesday.
Experienced campaigner Mahmudullah Riyad did not make the cut in Bangladesh’s 26-member preparatory camp for the upcoming Afghanistan series at home.
Bangladesh national cricket team players conveyed Eid greetings to their fans and followers on Saturday as the country celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the Muslims.
Bangladesh announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against Ireland, part of ICC ODI Super League, and the biggest change coming in was uncapped paceman Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, in for Taskin Ahmed who is recuperating from an injury.
Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha lauded the Tigers’ ODI and Test skipper Shakib Al Hasan for reaching the milestone of 7000 ODI runs in ODIs, saying that had the premier all-rounder played in conditions like England, Australia, or even India, he would have scored around 12,000 runs in the 50-over format.
Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has backed the experienced Mahmudullah Riyad, saying that the 37-year-old all-rounder is still in his plans.
Despite the dramatic one-wicket victory over India in the first ODI where Mehedi Hasan Miraz emerged as the saviour for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 39-ball 38 in a 51-run last-wicket stand with Mustafizur Rahman, there are questions over the performance of two of the senior players -- Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Bangladesh T20 cricket team’s technical consultant, Sridharan Sriram, mentioned it is the right time to consider Mahmudullah Riyad's replacement as the veteran cricketer was excluded from the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia, slated to begin in mid-October this year.
