The middle order batsman of the Bangladesh Cricket team, Mahmudullah Riyad, is hoping that his team manages to clean sweep the visiting Zimbabwe side in the One Day Internationals as well.
Bangladesh has already clean swept Zimbabwe in the test matches and they are just one step away from repeating that in the ODIs.
They have won the first 4 games with the 5th one scheduled to be played in Mirpur. Bangladesh might not have been in this position right now if Mahmudullah had not played a match winning innings of 82 in the last game.
The Bangladeshis were in tatters having gone 4 down in just 12 overs in that game.
They seemed to be moving fast towards their first defeat in the series, but, it wasn’t to be, thanks to the partnership that Mahmudullah built with another senior statesman of the side i.e. Mushfiqur Rahim.
However, talking to the press, the 28-year old was very modest. When being told that he was the hero in the game, he said, “It’s not about being hero. It’s all about helping your team and I am really satisfied to have done that today. We are looking to win the series 5-nil. Hopefully, we get another win on Monday and wrap it up in the best possible way.”
Mahmudullah, who was once the vice captain of Bangladesh and was being expected to be the next captain, is under pressure for saving his place in the One Day team.
This knock would certainly lift some of that pressure off him. He is a great finisher and Bangladesh would need him in form if they have to fight against the big teams in the World Cup.
Bangladesh is in Pool ‘A’ in the World Cup.