Liton, Mahmudullah hail game changer Nasum

Dhaka, 3 March  - Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad and Liton Das who played a superb 44 ball-60 hailed left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed for his game-changing bowling in the first T20 which Bangladesh won by 60 runs to go up 1-0 in the two-match series.

Liton's knock though helped Bangladesh post a decent 155, Nasum's four-wicket haul for just 10 runs was key given the match scenario, said both Liton and Mahmudullah.

"Pleasing to see how the boys fought in the middle with the bat, ball. The energy was good too. We thought the total was defendable. Nasum bowled really well, it was a match-changing spell," Mahmudullah said.

Liton described Nasum's effect more elaborately: "The score that we put up is not huge for Mirpur wicket and again it's not bad total in this wicket. If the score would have been 180 plus, the batters tried to chase with more fluent game but since it was 155, they were in double-minded-whether to attack, or whether to go cautiously."

"Nasum bowled a game-changing spell. If he didn't give us early breakthrough, they could have been 40 for one in the first powerplay and if so, that would have been a different ball game. I think the wicket was good to bat on and so Nasum's spell was key in winning the game."

Mahmudullah meanwhile didn't forget to praise Liton's knock also. He in fact said when Liton got going, it is always a treat to watch.

"Liton was superb with the bat, once he gets going it's eye-pleasing. We are happy to win against Afghanistan, who have a good T20 side. But we can't sit back after one win and will look to do it again in the next game."

Liton's batted at No.3 position instead of his favoured opening position. But still it doesn't create any difference as he looked to be in his zone.

"What was my goal was to give my best for the team whatever the position I played. If the team management wants me to bat at No.7, I am okay with it. Team management knows very well, where I can play well. So I have no complain," Liton said.

Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi said losing wickets in the powerplay cost them the match but he vowed to come back strongly in the second game to level the series.

"The boys bowled really well and restricted them to 150. We thought we could chase it but threw away our wickets in the powerplay which cost us the game. We will try our best in the next game to fight back," Nabi said.