DHAKA: Before the first match against India in Delhi, the biggest problem in Bangladesh was the 'lack of confidence'. But this time, the Tigers beat India for the first time in the Twenty20 match. And with this one victory, the confidence level of the Bangladeshi team has changed. Mahmudullah Riyad now longs for making history by winning the second match to restore the confidence.
Bangladesh will take off India in the second T20 international of the three-match series at Rajkot on Thursday.
Ahead of the match, Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah on Wednesday said "If you concentrate on the recent (developments), whatever is going on in Bangladesh cricket, a series win will be a big boost for Bangladesh cricket and also a big boost for the Bangladesh cricket team," Mahmudullah said in Rajkot.
"And hopefully as I have mentioned, tomorrow we have to play good cricket to beat India because we know that they are a good side at home and across the world, so we have to on our top from the first ball," he said.
"Obviously, I think, it is a great, great opportunity especially when you have already won the first game in the series, so it's a great opportunity and I think boys are feeling energetic about it and hopefully we can put up a good show tomorrow,” he added.
He said winning against India in India would be a big achievement.
"What I said earlier, since we won the first match, it will give us an extra confidence for all of us. We are not sitting idle; we are all desperately waiting for tomorrow's match. Everybody is working hard and giving their best effort in practice.
"I feel that in T20s, if you can assess the wicket properly and the length and accordingly place your field, then you have a chance to do well. T20 is such that it's important to make the right decision at the right time and if you think about it, you may have a game plan but you have to change it and so adaptability is crucial."
According to the skipper, "India is a very strong side at home and they have proven it in the last 11-12 years how strong they are. It will be a big achievement if we can win."
"If you consider their bowling attack has been very versatile, they have good spinners as well as first bowlers (pacers) and they have a very good bowling side as well in this T20 tournament, but having said that as I mentioned, we have to right on the top from the first ball so that we can take that momentum in our side and take forward the game."
Ahead of the India tour, Bangladesh's star-all-rounder Shakib was banned for two years, one year of it suspended, for failing to report approaches by suspected Indian bookie Deepak Aggarwal to the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit.
Before this, the Bangladesh players had gone on a strike demanding better pay before their board agreed to most of their demands.
Mahmudullah thinks this is Bangladesh's best chance to win a T20 series against India.
BDST: 1141 HRS, NOV 7, 2019
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