Ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka that commences from tomorrow (31^st January, 2018), stand-in captain Mahmudullah Riyad gave a press conference and talked about certain issues. The batting all-rounder was recently announced as the vice-captain with Shakib leading the Test team, but an injury to the latter has forced Mahmudullah to take over the reins.

When asked about the role of the captain, he stated that the job becomes easier when the players perform according to their abilities.

‘I always believed that the captain’s role becomes very easy if the players perform well. Our biggest strength is teamwork.

‘If we can play well as a unit, then we will do well. Most of us [in the team] are quite experienced cricketers, so I would say that the work would be easy.’

Further speaking about captaincy and the role of a cricketer, he said: ‘The life of a cricketer will always have challenges. It all depends on how to face those challenges on a personal level. Positive thoughts result into positive outcomes.

‘There is no point of being frustrated [of challenges because] new challenges will come every day. Since Test cricket has 5 days, it also provides a lot of challenges. [We have to] play every session carefully and step-by-step.’

About former coach Hathurusingha, he said: ‘Personally, I don’t have any headaches about that. I always think about the ways in which I could serve my team in the best possible way.’

Mahmudullah then heaped praise on Shakib Al Hasan, claiming that he is irreplaceable.

‘The importance of Shakib [Al Hasan] can’t be stated in words. Not having him is a big loss. However, at the end of the day, we will have to accept this challenge and move on. I am confident that if we stay positive and play according to our plans, we can have a good result.’

In the last two ODI games that the Tigers have played against the Lankans, their batting collapsed. However, Mahmudullah has put that in the past and is now focusing on what’s ahead.

‘I think that whatever happened in the tri-nation series is in the past now. Test cricket is a completely different format. The conditions are also different. Every session in Test cricket provides challenger and we have to keep that in mind only.

‘Whatever happened in the ODIs [of tri-nation] is in the past, so there is no use thinking about it. We are focused on the Test matches ahead.

The pitch at Chittagong is almost always batting-friendly—and Mahmudullah admitted it, while also stating that there are no favourites.

‘The track is always flat in Chittagong. However, there could be some assistance for the spinners this time. I think that our bowlers also need to take responsibility and take early wickets when bowling first.

‘It is difficult to ascertain who the favourites are. They [Sri Lanka] are playing good cricket now. However, we have a bit of an advantage due to home conditions. Even in Shakib’s absence, we have a good team balance that can allow us stand up [against the Lankans].’

He then went on to praise team director Khaled Mahmud Sujon and was coy on the selection policy.

‘I have been working with Sujon bhai for a long time. My career too began under his guidance.