Sourav Ganguly names his favorite Bangladesh cricketer

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed surprise over Mahmudullah Riyad batting low down the Bangladesh batting order. Ganguly feels that someone of Mahmudullah’s calibre needs to bat higher up in the order. When Ganguly was asked if the New Zealand vs Bangladesh game was the most talked about the encounter of the Champions Trophy 2017 thus far, he was more opinionated about Mahmudullah’s batting position rather than the overall performance of the Tigers.

Dada also praised the best cricketer to have won the Bangladeshi jersey Shakib Al Hasan, saying that his batting was simply extraordinary. In the chase, Bangladesh were reeling at 33 for 4 at one stage against the Kiwis, eventually scripted an epic comeback to chase 266 on the back of centuries from Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah to knock New Zealand out of Champions Trophy. Shakib scored his seventh ODI century. Mahmudullah scored an unbeaten 102, his third century in ODIs.

“I was doing commentary on that match. Bangladesh played extremely well. But please tell me one thing, why does Mahmudullah bat so down the order? He is such a great player. Why should he bat down the order? Shakib also played really well. His batting was extraordinary. More importantly, I never felt like these two wouldn’t be able to win the match. These two players are very good, and then Tamim Iqbal is also in great touch. I think it will be a grat competiton up against India,” Ganguly said.

No dearth of talent in Bangladesh team 

According to the former Indian skipper, Bangladesh boasts of many talented players and cannot be taken lightly when they lock horns with an upbeat and confident India in the second semi-final on Thursday. Calling Mahmudullah his favourite player in the Bangladesh outfit, he also named other players who are excelling in the team.

“I don’t know why but I like Mahmudullah very match. That he comes to bat so late makes me surprised. Tamim is also doing well. I have got the chance to watch him closely (Tamim and Ganguly played for Pune Warriors in one IPL season). Shakib also played such a great knock. Actually there are so many good cricketers. Taskin is good… Rubel is also good…”