BAN v ZIM 2018: Mahmudullah positive despite heavy defeat in Sylhet

The Bangladesh skipper is confident of his team bouncing back in the series.

Despite heavy loss at Sylhet, Mahmudullah believes | AFP

Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah has said that his team will approach the second Test against Zimbabwe in Mirpur in "a positive frame of mind", despite the massive defeat in the first encounter of the series at Sylhet.

Armed with intent to try and win level the series, Mahmuduallah, ahead of Day 1 of the second Test on Sunday, November 11, told the reporters present, "To be frank none of us were thinking of a loss. We are thinking positive. If you think negative you may get stuck in that place,"

"So we are trying to keep in a positive frame of mind and win the game by playing good cricket," he emphasized.

Losing by a margin of 151 runs, and having now gone eight consecutive Test innings without crossing the 200-run mark, Mahmudullah feels that Bangladesh is really struggling with their batting and need to start delivering, especially in absence of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan.

"I think we are suffering because of a lack of discipline (in batting). You have to raise your concentration in Tests. Otherwise, the chance of performing well is limited," he analysed, "In slow and spinning wickets where the ball comes late, you have to play it that way. There comes the importance of discipline. Patience is also important."

Looking forward seeking the comfort of the fortress, i.e, the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, where the Tigers have beaten England and Australia and the surface that has produced a result in 14 out of 17 Tests it has hosted, Mahmudullah asserted, "You all will agree with me, Mirpur wicket is always unpredictable. If you don't get what you expect, you have to adjust. We are going in to this match with an empty head and will try to play according to pitch and condition."

"I think our players play with their hearts. They always give 100 percent for the country. In this Test they will give 120 percent," he signed off.

(Inputs from AFP)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 11 Nov, 2018

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