Jamaica Tallawahs announces Mahmudullah as Imad Wasim's replacement

After not getting a chance to feature for the Tigers in the crucial two-match Test series against the Aussies, Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah Riyad has found a new lifeline. He has been signed up by the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise Jamaica Tallawahs and is all set to leave his mark in the Windian annual cricketing fiesta.

The Tallawahs have signed Mahmudullah as the replacement for Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim. Imad was called back by his national team as they will be facing World XI side next month. Besides the leg-spinner, the Jamaican team lost another overseas all-rounder in Shakib Al Hasan, who has been picked by his country for the Test series against the Kangaroos.

But his countryman Mahmudullah will now ply his trade for the Tallawahs. Mahmudullah is waiting for his flight ticket and will be ready to leave Bangladesh as soon as it comes. It is going to be the maiden CPL stint for the all-rounder and the one he should capitalize on. The good news for Tallawahs loyalists is that Riyad will be able to play for their team till the end of the tournament, hence no further replacements will be needed.

Mahmudullah is a proven match-winner

Jamaican coach Paul Nixon was ecstatic with the 31-year old’s arrival. “We are gutted to be losing Imad Wasim but Mahmudullah is a great replacement. He is a proven match-winner at international level and he is exactly the kind of player we need to claim back to back Hero CPL titles,” said Nixon.

Both Wasim and Shakib were playing well in this year’s CPL and hence Mahmudullah has some big boots to fill. While Wasim picked up 4 wickets in 5 matches with an outstanding economy rate of fewer than 6 runs per over, Shakib featured in three matches for the team and played a crucial knock of 44 runs against the Barbados Tridents. The veteran all-rounder from Mymensingh is expected to join the team on August 23 and should be in action from August 25, when his team faces bottom-dwellers St Lucia Stars at Sabina Park.