The management of the Bangladesh cricket team made some changes when selecting their team for the T20 World Cup after they lost in the group round of the Asia Cup. In preparation for the major competition in Australia later this month, it fired former captain Mahmudullah Riyad and summoned up batter Najmul Hossain. The team’s 20-over struggles were brought to light during the Asia Cup campaign, which saw Bangladesh eliminated in the group stage after losses to eventual champions Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Mahmudullah’s participation was questioned as he only scored 151 runs in eight matches in 2022. It’s time for the team to consider its future beyond the 36-year-old, according to former Indian cricketer Sridharan Sriram, who was named last month as the team’s T20 consultant. “It is never an easy conversation – he is the most-capped T20 player in Bangladesh,” Sriram said. “I have the utmost respect for him. I have to be the bad man to have the conversation. I think it (the conversation) went well. “I think our cricket team needs to have a succession plan. I have always equated Mahmudullah with MS Dhoni with the role that he performs for the team. He batted at No. 6 just like Dhoni has done for India. He has finished off games. Dhoni cannot go on forever and ever, right?
“You need to have a succession plan for who (next). I think this was the right time to think of someone who can fill in Mahmudullah’s big shoes. You need someone. Unless we start playing players in that role, we won’t find them.” After being out of the running for the Asia Cup as Liton Das, Nurul Hasan, and Yasir Ali recovered from injuries, Najmul is back. Mushfiqur Rahim, an accomplished player who retired earlier this month, won’t be playing for Bangladesh either. On October 16, the T20 World Cup will begin in Australia. Bangladesh, along with India, Pakistan, South Africa, and two qualifiers from the Super 12 stage, will be in Group 2.
