DHAKA, Jan 21, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh T20 captain Mahmudullah Riyad said they are firmly focused on to win the three-match T20 series in Pakistan, leaving behind the security issue, which remains the focal point.
The Bangladesh team will fly for Lahore directly from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport through a chartered flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at 8pm tomorrow.
Lahore is the venue to host all of the three matches, scheduled for January 24, 25 and 27.
Bangladesh security personnel will accompany the Tigers while a top level security from Pakistan’s part will be given. Pakistani media reported that a sum of 10,000 cops will be deployed to ensure security for the Bangladesh team. It is speculated that the foolproof and tight security could create a suffocating environment from the Tigers.
“At the moment, what I can say, that the players are not worried about it. The decision has already been taken and so we are thinking about cricket only,” Mahmudullah said here today.
“We are just focused onto our cricket and want to win the series. That’s what is in our mind and head at this moment.”
While Pakistan is No.1 ranked T20 team at this moment, Bangladesh is at 9th position in the rankings but Mahmudullah believes rakings would matter little if they can deliver their performance on their given day.
“No doubt Pakistan has been really good in this format but if you look at our performance, we are a fast improving side. We have won some memorable matches in this format of late, which enhanced our confidence and we believe we can beat any team in the world. Just what we need to do is to keep up the momentum and raise our bar at right moment,” he added.
The captain said that his team is prepared well to deal with Pakistan team at their own backyard and added that the belief stemmed from the performance of the young players in the recently concluded Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL).
“We’re preparing well. We have some young talented players who proved themselves in the age-level cricket as well as in the domestic level. The batsmen did well in the BPL while the bowlers performed up to the mark. I believe that we have the ability to win the series in Pakistan,” he insisted.
Even though Bangladesh would miss the service of Mushfiqur Rahim, who pulled him out from the tour due to his family’s insistence of not visiting Pakistan, Mahmudullah said the young players are determined to plug the loopholes of the best batsman of the country.
“We honour the decision of Mushfiqur Rahim. We will definitely miss him. A batsman like Mushfiqur will be missed always. But the young players are determined to fill the gaps created by him. I am very hopeful about the young players.
Mahmudullah however insisted that the onus will be on him and Tamim Iqbal to lead the side from the front in absence of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan who has been serving two years ban, one year of that suspended, imposed by the ICC.
“The onus will be on Tamim and me to drive the side. Tamim has had a good BBPL in which he scored runs fluently. He will be key in our top order. At the same time, the younger players will have their responsibilities. They’re eager to do well and prove their worth,” Mahmudullah concluded.