Khaled Mahmud Sujon, who is the head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), said that Mahmudullah Riyad’s exclusion from the Asia Cup team had nothing to do with their plans.
There was a lot of talk about whether Mahmudullah would be on the team for the Asia Cup. Many people thought that his experience would be taken into account, especially since there weren’t any good options for the number seven or finisher role. However, the team chose Afif Hossain and Shamim Hossain instead.
“I still think Riyad is strong enough to fight and come back. There is a lot of cricket coming up. The Dhaka League (Dhaka Premier League) is there, and he can answer there. The cricket player has to do the best he can, and it’s up to the selection group to decide if he makes the team or not. You think Nannu bhai, Habibul Bashar, and Abdur Razzak are Riyad’s enemies?” Tuesday, this is what Sujon told the media.
“None of these are right. I don’t need to know all there is to know. If I ask them about it as a board member and a past captain, it puts pressure on them. They have a lot of plans for the team, and the choice to leave Riyad off came from those plans. Not telling us about that is neither part of how they chose the team nor their job. He also said, “The head coach and the captain are there, and they have their own ideas.”
Mahmudullah’s last ODI was at home in March against England. He was then left out of the Tigers’ series against Ireland (both at home and on the road) and the series against Afghanistan at home.
Before the 17-person team was announced, the 37-year-old, who had retired from Tests and T20Is, had been working at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. This showed that he might just make the cut because of the experience he brings.
In the last few games, Mahmudullah has been out of shape and not very fit. He scored a couple of fifties in his last 10 ODI games, but his calm attitude and slow strike rates have drawn a lot of attention. This is made worse by the fielders’ lack of speed and the captain’s failure to hide the 37-year-old.
Many people wonder if Mahmuduulah has played his last game for the Tigers because of these things.
When asked about it, Sujon gave his opinion and said it was up to the players to know when to stop.
“I had the guts to leave my job. I left work. I knew that my time had run out. How will the new people join the team if I don’t leave? The cricket players have to decide when to say “step away.” I’ve been through it, and it’s very hard. “I gave up what I loved,” said Sujon.
“Mahmudullah and people like him were more skilled than we were. We didn’t make as much money when we played cricket. We didn’t make much money playing cricket, but we loved the game and were able to let go of it.
“I don’t know why the players of this generation don’t want to leave. They don’t have the courage to leave, but you have to leave at some time. You don’t think Stuart Broad could have kept playing, do you? Why did he then leave it? You should know when to give up. If the bowlers want to keep playing for another two or three years, that’s fine. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be let go. You could be left out because of how you look, and a new face could be given a chance.”