Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah hopes to resolve T20 powerplay issues

Bangladesh have struggled in their batting department in the T20 international format of late. They failed miserably in the T20 World Cup held in the Middle East last year and have not beaten a Test-playing nation in the shortest format since last September. They have lost their last eight matches and their latest victories were against Oman and Papua New Guinea.

With the next World Cup in T20 internationals scheduled in October-November this year in Australia, the Tigers have a big challenge in hand and they will be keen to turn the tables in the two-match series against Afghanistan at home starting Thursday, March 3.

After having beaten the Afghans 2-1 in the one-day international series, the hosts will be confident of winning the T20 international series as well but skipper Mahmudullah cautioned on the eve of the first game that his team was aiming to resolve the powerplay issues that have plagued Bangladesh in the shortest format.

The two matches will be played in Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and statistically, Bangladesh trail Afghanistan 2-4 in the seven matches that they have played so far with one game getting abandoned.

Bangladesh have consistently struggled to score briskly in the powerplay period and in the recent three-match T20 international series against Pakistan at home, they managed to put up ordinary scores of 25 for 3, 36 for 2 and 33 for 1 respectively in the powerplay. They lost the series 0-3.

Speaking with reporters at the venue on the eve of the opener, Mahmudullah said, “Yeah hopefully we will be able to get out of it (scoring 30 odd runs in the powerplay).”

“With the team combination we have, we’re good enough to make 40 to 45 runs in Powerplay. If we can do it than we are on the right track. Maybe we will not get a high-flying start every game but if we get it that’s fine. As a batting unit we have to consistently get 150-160 runs so that we have a chance in the game against whichever opponent we play. We’re discussing these things and working things out. Hopefully we will find a way,” the 36-year-old batter who has played 113 T20 internationals, said.

Mahmudullah has led Bangladesh in most number of T20 internationals – 38 – but has been able to guide them to victory on only 15 occasions which makes it a success percentage of less than 40. His own form with the bat has also come under scrutiny.

Bangladesh include Munim Shahriar

Bangladesh has included batting prodigy Munim Shahriar in the T20 squad largely due to his ability to score freely during the powerplay, a skill that he displayed in the just concluded Bangladesh Premier League.

“Munim has a good chance tomorrow. I can’t say exactly since I saw the wicket today and hopefully we will plan on how we can arrange our batting lineup,” the captain said, adding that he is not ready to blame the top-order for all their batting woes in the format.