It wasn’t about boundary hitting, it was about his intensity – Russell Domingo backs Mahmudullah

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo backed Mahmudullah to do well in the coming days, although he conceded that the middle-order batter’s intensity dropped during the first ODI against India as he was focusing more on surviving than scoring runs.

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo backed Mahmudullah to do well in the coming days, although he conceded that the middle-order batter’s intensity dropped during the first ODI against India as he was focusing more on surviving than scoring runs.

Mahmudullah has already retired from Test cricket and he was recently dropped from the T20I squad for the World Cup in Australia. At present, he has only ODIs to prolong his international career however he hasn’t been at his best even in the 50-over format.

Domingo, aware that the experienced batter is somewhat coming up short on certainty, spent quite a bit of time with him at the BCB indoor facility on Tuesday (December 6) trying to help him to break the shackles. 

Mahmudullah was bowled by a throwdown from Domingo focused on his leg stump and it took some time for him to track down the middle of the bat.

“It wasn’t about boundary hitting. It was about his intensity,”

Domingo told reporters, trying to explain what he was doing with Mahmudullah in the nets. 

“I think his intensity dropped as he was looking more to survive than to score. That’s why he missed that half volley on leg-stump. If he was looking to score, he would have probably hit that for two or four.

“It is just making sure that we get into the routine and rhythm of being more positive than looking to survive,”

Domingo said, adding that he is not ready to accept that Mahmudullah is past his prime. 

“It was one ODI ago that he got 80. I have no concerns with him at the moment. All players go through these phases in the older phase of their careers. I still have a lot of faith in his ability and batting,”

he said.

However, Domingo said Bangladesh was not ready to take a chance with Taskin Ahmed for the second ODI. The pacer was ruled out of the opening ODI with a back issue and though he bowled at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday, Bangladesh isn’t willing to take a risk.

“Taskin had an injection about three or four days ago and he has done a bit of gym yesterday and had a bit of a bowl today for five-six overs. I’m not sure we want to risk playing him yet,”

said Domingo. 

“There is a lot of cricket to be played, there are a few Test matches and also have opportunity to keep developing the other fast bowlers. So I don’t think we want to risk playing him yet but he is on his way to recovery.”

Domingo also backed the middle order to do the job for Bangladesh.

“We have got experienced players like Shakib, Mushfiq, and Riyad, and a dynamic player like Afif in the middle order. I have no concerns about our middle order at this stage. I’d rather be having problems now than in the World Cup,”

he said while praising Mehidy Hasan as the “quiet hero” of the side.

“Miraz (Mehidy Hasan) is a quiet hero in this team. He is consistent in all formats. He can bat anywhere. Deals with pressure well. He was No 2 or 3 in the ODI bowler’s rankings. You can always rely on him. If he goes for runs, you know you can bring him back in tough situations. He thrives in those situations. It was a special inning (in the first ODI), the way he held the game together. He was clear and calm in his thinking. It is not the first time he has done it. We were 45 for 6 against Afghanistan, he played superbly. Really pleased for him, as he is a fantastic character on the team. A really good bloke to work with,”

Domingo said.

Domingo also warned his team that it won’t be easy in the second game as India will be looking to bounce back.

“Our team is confident in this format, but it won’t be easy. India is a quality side. They will come back strong. But I’d rather go into tomorrow’s game 1-0 up than 0-1 down. We have to play a lot better than we did in the first game. If we hold our nerves, we can cross the line,”

he concluded.