20 Facts about Mahmudullah Riyad: Bangladesh’s Hitman

The International circuit, Mahmudullah has impressed with both bat and bowl. Mahmudullah, who is best remembered as the first Bangladeshi batsman to have ever scored a World Cup ton, has more highlights to his professional and personal life. Here are 20 facts about Mahmudullah Riyad: Bangladesh’s Run Machine.

1. Early Life

Mahmudullah was born at Mymensingh, Dhaka on 4 February 1986. Being born in a nation that is a cricket maniac, Mahmudullah had an inclination towards the game since his childhood. He started playing for the Dhaka Division at the age groups levels and later represented the same side in First Class cricket.

2. Playing Style

Mahmudullah is an all-rounder who bowls off spin bowling and is a handy middle-order batsman. He started his career as a lower order batsman, but his impeccable hitting capability has seen him surge up the batting order.

3. Early Days in Cricket

Mahmudullah learned his game in his hometown, Mymensingh, before deciding to come to the capital to take part in the ACC U15 tournament in 2000. It was this tournament that proved to be a great learning curve for the young all-rounder.

4. U19 World Cup Call

His good performance in the age-group levels saw him climb up the ladder and was soon in the Bangladesh U19 squad for the ICC U19 World Cup 2004, which was held in Bangladesh. He got to play in just two matches in which he scored 7 and 8 runs respectively.

5. MCC Young Cricketers

Mahmudullah got a chance to enhance his capabilities at the MCC Young Cricketers in 2004. Soon he was picked up for the First Class side.

6. First Class debut

During the first unofficial Test between Bangladesh A and Zimbabwe A at Bulawayo in 2005, Mahmudullah made his First Class debut. Coming in at number 6, he scored 55 on debut and followed it up with a gritty 42 in the 2^nd innings. He wasn’t entrusted with the ball and got just one over to his name, in which he conceded 5 runs.

7. ODI Debut and the ODI-Specialist Tag

He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2007. He scored a 54 ball 36, in a match that his side lost by 39 runs. However, he picked up 2/28 in 5 overs, which was positive for him. He went on to be picked for Bangladesh’s squads for a Quadrangular Series in Kenya in 2007 and the 2007 Twenty20 World Championship. But the critics started tagging him as an ODI specialist.

8. Second highest Run getter in Domestic Season

During the 2008/09 Bangladeshi domestic season, Mahmudullah finished as the second highest run-scorer in the competition with 710 runs at an average of 54.61. He was again picked up for the series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

9. Phenomenal Test Debut

Mahmudullah made his Test debut against West Indies in 2009 at Kingstown. Although he failed miserably with the bat, scoring just 9 and 8; he had a phenomenal outing with the ball. He picked up 3/59 in the first innings and followed it up with 5/51 in the second; thus becoming the first Bangladeshi player to pick 5 wicket haul on debut.

10. The Test Ton at Number 8

During the one-off Test against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2010, Mahmudullah struck his only Test ton. He came in to bat at number 8 and drove exquisitely as comparisons were being made between him and India’s legend VVS Laxman. He hit 115 off 177 balls to help his side avert the follow on.

11. Still a lower order batsman?

Despite his heroics with the bat, the team management didn’t promote him up the order fearing his poor record against swing bowling. He was tagged as a lower order batsman. It was only after his series aggregate of 159 against West Indies in 2012, that he moved to the middle order.

12. Dip in form

The phase from 2013 to early 2014 saw sporadic performances from Mahmudullah which saw him even getting dropped from the side. But the series against Zimbabwe later in 2014 saw him cement his place back to the side.

13. ICC World Cup 2015

Bangladesh had a dream run in the ICC World Cup 2015 as they made it to the knockout stages of the tournament, performing better than England. It was this man who held the Bangladeshi ship intact. In six matches in the World Cup he scored 365 runs at an average of 73.00. A rare failure for him against India in the knockouts, ended Bangladesh’s run in the World Cup.

14. First Bangladeshi to Score World Cup ton

When Bangladesh played England in the ICC World Cup 2015, Mahmudullah Riyad created history by scoring a gritty century. He became the first Bangladeshi batsman to score a century in the World Cup. He hit 103 off 138 balls and it was his efforts that propelled Bangladesh to a winning score of 275. Bangladesh upset England by 15 runs and made it to the Quarterfinals of the tournament.

15. And Following it with another one

In the next match against New Zealand, he bettered his previous score and scored 128 off 123 balls to take Bangladesh to 288. He became the first batsman from his country to score back to back tons in World Cup. However, Bangladesh lost the match by 3 wickets.

16. Bangladesh Premier League

The Bangladesh Cricket Board founded the six-team Bangladesh Premier League in 2012. The Chittagong Kings bought Mahmudullah for $110,000.

17. A Sensational BPL-3

He was named the skipper of the Barisal Bulls for the third edition of the BPL. Mahmadullah scored 279 runs and led from the front as his side emerged as the runner-up of the tournament.

18. Brand Endorsement

Mahmudullah signed a contract with HeidelbergCement Bangladesh Limited and was endorsed by the company for a tenure of one year.

19. Teams he has played for

Mahmudullah has represented the following teams in his career so far: Bangladesh, Bangladesh A, Bangladesh Under-19s, Central Zone (Bangladesh), Chittagong Kings, Dhaka Division and Barisal Bulls.

20. Personal Life

Mahmudullah Riyad got married to Jannatul Kawsar Mishti on June 25, 2011. A year later, on June 3, he became a father to a son.