Mahmudullah admits top order underperformed in first T20I
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Bangladesh T20 skipper Mahmudullah Riyad admitted that the top-order could have performed better in the first T20I against Pakistan, which they lost by four wickets.
Mahmudullah opted to bat first after winning the toss, however, the top-orders failed to make an impact despite having a good wicket. As openers Mohammad Naim (1) and Saif Hassan (1) fell cheaply. The hosts managed to score 15 for three when Najmul Hossain Shanto returned for seven.
Although, Bangladesh were brilliant in the second half of their innings, scored 87 runs in the final 10 overs despite being in a spot of bother at 40 for four after ten overs.
"I think when we chose to bat first, it looked a pretty good wicket to bat on but there was help for bowlers too. Hopefully, we can come up with a better plan tomorrow. It would have been better to reach 140," said Mahmudullah.
Bangladesh had a small total to defend but the captain lauded the effort of the bowlers.
"With 127, we thought if we could get a couple of wickets early on, which our bowlers did, Taskin, Fizz, Mahedi, we were very close but the credit goes to their last two batters," he said.
Mahmudullah's decision not to bring leg-spinner Aminul Islam Biplob into the attack has raised many questions.
In reply to a question regarding this in the post-match press conference, Mahmudullah said, "I had the plan of bringing him on. But at that time, two left-handers were batting. So I came into the attack,"
Bangladesh and Pakistan will lock horns in the second T20I on Saturday in Mirpur.
