Dhaka – Mahmudullah Riyadh, the Bangladesh v is often considered as an unsung hero of the Tigers. He bats well, he does all that the team requires of him. But, he hardly manages to get out of a character of an unsung hero. In the second Test of ongoing series against the Windies, one of the rare occasions came on the scene when Mahmudullah managed to show his real heroics.The right-handed batsman hit his career-best knock of 136 not out which he dedicated to his mother, in the Dhaka Test displaying a healthy mixture of patience -when it was needed on Day 1- and also the customary belligerence he is known for on Day 2 extra bit of patience. While stretching the third Test ton of the career to 136, Mahmudullah faced 242 deliveries.
Despite staying in the middle for 242 balls, Mahmudullah said that shifting to one-day mode was the key to his third Test ton: “I went through some mental changes in my batting. I thought to bat as I do in one-dayers and T20Is which suits my style better.”
I wanted to stay positive in the middle. My mentality was to go for shots if the merit of balls permits. But, it is true that I had to work hard to score on the Mirpur wicket,” Mahmudullah further added.
Mahmudullah recorded his first-ever Test ton back in 2010, and then had to wait for a long eight years to register his second. He smashed his second Test hundred against Zimbabwe in the previous home series. Now he has 2 centuries in the space of 3 weeks, raising hopes that he may finally be ready to fulfill his potential. Mahmudullah believes that a positive mindset helped him to generate more runs in the Test format.
“I did not want to think in too many ways. I just wanted to stay positive in the middle, and I was eager to score, which was the best option for me. I should bat like this. But still, I think that I have to develop my batting more,” Mahmudullah said.
Despite the Tigers ending the day 433 runs ahead on first innings with just five West Indies wickets already back in the pavilion, Mahmudullah doesn’t think Bangladesh are on their way to an easy win. “I don’t think it will be easy (to win). We have to bowl in the right areas, and that was the message from Shakib to the team today as well. If we can play according to our plan, it will be easy (to win the match).”UNB
