We are still only at the preliminary stage of the T20 World Cup but Bangladesh have already been through the roller-coaster of emotions, like they often do. They had copped brickbats from their fans, their media and even their cricket board president after a shock six-run defeat to Scotland in their Group B opener on Sunday.
Their three senior players -- Shakib Al Hasan (20 off 28), Mushfiqur Rahim (38 off 36) and skipper Mahmudullah (23 off 22) – had batted at numbers 3, 4 and 5 for nearly three-quarters of the chase of 141 for a collective strike-rate of just 94. The inability of the experienced batters to step up the scoring had left those following with too much to do.
Mahmudullah had been left to defend himself and his fellow veterans in the post-match media session. “I am very much frustrated… we didn't deliberately bat slowly. We couldn't hit those boundaries,” he had said while being famously interrupted by loud celebrations from the Scottish dressing room.
On Thursday, after an 84-run demolition of Papua New Guinea sealed Bangladesh’s Super 12s spot, a visibly calmer but combative Mahmudullah hit back at some of the criticism that he said had left his side feeling “belittled.”
“Yes, we are humans, we make mistakes… but it doesn’t mean we should be belittled. I don’t think anyone has more feelings for the country than the team,” Mahmudullah said.
“Criticism will take place when we don’t do well, but it is not fair to belittle us.
“We are human, we also have feelings. We have families. Our parents and children sit in front of the TV. They also get upset. Everyone has social media on their phone. We expect criticism when it is warranted, but if that is belittling, we feel bad.”
Recently, Glenn Maxwell and Dan Christian had spoken out against abuse on social media targeted at players and their families after the duo’s franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore lost in the Indian Premier League 2021 knockouts.
“Some of the garbage that has been flowing on social media is absolutely disgusting! We are human beings who are giving our best each and every day. Try being a decent person maybe instead of spreading abuse..." Maxwell had said.
"Check out the comments section of my partner's Instagram post. I didn't have a great game tonight, but that's sport. However please, leave her out of it," Christian had said.
On Thursday, Mahmudullah stressed that it was unfair for players’ commitment to be called into question after a loss, especially in the fickle format of T20, and to ignore all the sacrifices they had to make.
“There were many questions, including about the three senior players’ strike-rate. We tried hard, but we didn’t get the result. Everyone makes sacrifices. We play with injuries. Some of us take pain-killers every day. Many don’t know about these things, so it is not right to talk about our commitment.”
After the loss to Scotland, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan had questioned the “approach and attitude” of his team, and had specifically mentioned Shakib, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah for not taking enough risks with the bat.
“I never thought we could lose the match against Scotland,” Hassan had said. “Shakib, Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah are our best batters. They ought to finish the match. If the seniors want to play up the (batting) order, they have to play with risk. But it would not be right to waste balls without taking risk and to take it to a situation from which there is no way back.”
Nevertheless, Mahmudullah stuck with the three veterans at numbers 3, 4 and 5 against PNG as well. And while Mushfiqur managed only 5, the skipper himself cracked 50 off 28 deliveries and Shakib produced an outstanding all-round performance: 46 off 37 followed by 4 for 9 from four overs to be named Player of the Match.
“Shakib is a champion player for Bangladesh. He has been outstanding. We are lucky to have a performer like him.
“We are not worried about Mushfiq or (senior pacer) Mustafiz (Rahman). We are not losing faith in them, probably people from outside are,” Mahmudullah said, and later also thanked a reporter for asking a “positive” question on a couple of bowlers doing well.
Having given a piece of his mind and some more to those outside the dressing room, Mahmudullah proceeded to thank those inside it for getting the team through a difficult phase.
“I hope we can be more settled now. Within the team, there is positive energy, and for that I thank the whole team. I hope things will get better.”
Bangladesh, who finished second in Group B, will now take on the Group A toppers – likely to be Sri Lanka -- in their opening Super 12 Group 1 game on Sunday afternoon in Sharjah. Their last Super 12 match will be against Australia in Dubai on November 4.
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/cri...gladesh-mahmudullah/2swk3cytebis1jhb6nbbayoy9
