Mahmudullah Riyad set to make a Test comeback

Mahmudullah Riyad has been one of the best performers for Bangladesh in the limited-overs formats but he has been dropped from the Test team. Mahmudullah along with Shakib built a brilliant partnership in the do or die game vs New Zealand to take Bangladesh through to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy earlier this year. But his struggle with form in the Test format forced the Bangladesh selectors to drop him from the team that took on the Australian challenge.

Road to comeback

Bangladesh is due to tour South Africa for the next series and there is a good chance of the right-handed batsman getting a call-up. According to a member of the team management, they may decide to pick the all-rounder for the next tour. The official said that Mahmudullah’s experience of playing overseas will count in his favour.

“We (team management) considered the overseas form of Mahmudullah crucial behind his selection,”, a member of team management was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

The 32-year-old batsman had been a regular in the team. But owing to a dull patch he was dropped from the team and he missed out on the chance to play the historic 100th Test vs Sri Lanka. But the right-hander’s experience of having played in the overseas conditions is expected to strengthen his case.

Nasir Hossain to be dropped

While Mahmudullah is due to make a comeback, it can be curtains for all-rounder Nasir Hossain. Nasir was picked for Australia’s tour of Bangladesh but is under pressure after failing to deliver with the bat. He had an ordinary tour, scoring just 73 runs in 4 innings. His chances of retaining a place look slim, but this could open the door for Mahmudullah.

This is a very important tour for Bangladesh, and the selectors might want to stack up the experienced campaigners and that should go in Mahmudullah’s favour.