Our hunger key in series victory against Australia: Mahmudullah

DHAKA - Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad pointed out that the players showed their character and hunger, which
was key in winning the five-match Twenty20 International series
against a team like Australia.

  This was the first bilateral T20 International between the two sides
and Bangladesh made it memorable by demonstrating a remarkable
performance.

  Bangladesh won the first game by 23 runs, second one by five wickets
and third match by 10 runs to confirm the series. Australia then took
the fourth match home with a hard-fought three-wicket victory but
Bangladesh clawed back again to win the last game by 60 runs, bowling
out Australia for their lowest 62 runs in 13.4 overs.

  The 60-run victory was Bangladesh's second largest in this format,
after their 71-run victory against Ireland. It was however Australia's
fourth biggest defeat in this format.

  "The boys showed a lot of character and hunger to win a series
against a team like Australia. We executed our plans really well.
Obviously it was hard for the batters, but we did well to keep getting
120-130," said Mahmudullah, who dedicated the series victory to Father
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family in the
month of mourning.

  "All the bowlers worked really well together. The development has
been increasing quite nicely. In Zimbabwe and here, the fast bowlers
and spinners have worked really hard. They have kept their nerve in
crunch moments, that's what matters in T20s, there will be pressure
moments."

  Knowing that the bowlers will be key in this extremely slow pitch,
Mahmudullah said he had discussed with bowlers at length before the
series began.

  "In that part management supported well so it was a good team
effort. Before starting the series I had a chat with the bowlers that
it will be a responsibility on them and they should win the game," he
remarked.

  The T20 captain of Bangladesh also said that the country had already
proved how tougher opponents they are at home and anyone visiting here
now would feel the heat.

  "But it was a good team effort. The way the boys fought every game
was really pleasing to see. We always felt that in our backyard we are
a very good team. We can't let anything go past," he opined.

  "We'll be challenging whoever comes to play in Bangladesh and we'd
like to win every series. Though the ranking doesn't show it, I have
always felt we have very good potential to be a very good team in
T20Is," he concluded.BSS