Serene Riyad puts the debate to rest

He dedicates third century to his mother

The debate whether he is good enough to play Test cricket now could be put to rest after Mahmudullah Riyad’s struck his career best 136, digging deep to steer Bangladesh through some crucial sessions on day two of the second Test against West Indies.

This was his third century and second in three matches, that came in the gap of just 16 days and two innings, after he hit his second century following a eight and half years gap.

Mahmudullah, a one of the senior figures of Bangladesh team, who struck his second Test century against Zimbabwe earlier this month, seemed determined not to waste his chance when he got the opportunity against West Indies.

A few raised eyebrows when he scored a century against Zimbabwe as it came after a gap of eight and a half years but the way he constructed the innings against West Indies indicated there are still many to come for him in the longer formats.

Mahmudullah had often been accused of not putting a value on his wicket when it came down to playing Test cricket that is believed to be the major reason for him not to shine in the longest format.

Though he could excel in the shorter formats, it never really took off when it came to Test cricket as despite completing over nine years in the business he is yet to accomplish the tag of genuine Test cricketer.

His lack of form in the longer format prompted team management to drop him from the 100th Test match despite being a senior member of the squad and though he returned with some runs it never really solved his problems.

Mahmudullah scored 122 runs in last 10 innings to complicate things further before scoring career saving hundred against Zimbabwe.

Though he put up a ton against Zimbabwe it was never the same compared to the one that he scored against West Indies as he opted to play a traditional Test innings.

“I have brought some mental changes. It suits me how I bat in ODIs and T20s. I will go after the bowling even if from the first ball. I have had to work hard in this innings, as a result,” said Mahmdullah, explaining what adjustment he made to translate his ODI and T20 form into Test format.

“I have been thinking from the second Test against Zimbabwe, I decided to take care of my mentality. I wanted to remain positive, nothing more than that.

Mahmudullah, who resumed the innings on 34, did not achieve the feat without passing any difficulties as he looked quite vulnerable during the first hour of play.

But after the end of the first hour of play he looked to be more settled as his confidence grew with each passing deliveries until he reached the nervous nineties when he really had to work it out in the middle like a true warrior.

He had faced 40 deliveries in-between the nineties before he reached the magical figure as he smashed the half-tracker behind point for four off  Roston Chase to raise his hundred.

“The ball wasn’t coming on to the bat. When Shakib and I were batting on the first day, we had to work hard. I think we hit only a couple of boundaries. I wanted to be positive, but take minimum risks. Liton batted well, having returned to the side. I think this style suits him well,” said Mahmudullah who dedicated this century to his mother.

It was more intimidating considering the fact that there were several occasions when he looked to put under pressure but somehow he managed to keep his cool.

“I was also quite positive. The new ball was easier to bat against, which gave us more scoring options. It starts reducing as the ball gets older. We were looking to utilize the bad balls.”

The century helped Bangladesh to put on hefty 508 before the spinners reduced West Indies to 75 for five to establish the hosts’ complete control. Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan took five wickets in the first 12 overs of the visitors' reply, recording a first in Test history in the process, as the first five batsmen were all bowled to spinners.

“We bowled in better areas. We wanted to take at least two or three wickets tonight but we got five wickets. It has given us confidence,” he said.

 

Serene Riyad puts the debate to rest

He dedicates third century to his mother

The debate whether he is good enough to play Test cricket now could be put to rest after Mahmudullah Riyads struck his career best 136, digging deep to steer Bangladesh through some crucial sessions on day two of the second Test against West Indies. This was his third century and second in three matches, that came in the gap of just 16 days and two innings, after he hit his second century following a eight and half years gap. Mahmudullah, a one of the senior figures of Bangladesh team, who struck his second Test century against Zimbabwe earlier this month, seemed determined not to waste his chance when he got the opportunity against West Indies. A few raised eyebrows when he scored a century against Zimbabwe as it came after a gap of eight and a half years but the way he constructed the innings against West Indies indicated there are still many to come for him in the longer formats. Mahmudullah had often been accused of not putting a value on his wicket when it came down to playing Test cricket that is believed to be the major reason for him not to shine in the longest format. Though he could excel in the shorter formats, it never really took off when it came to Test cricket as despite completing over nine years in the business he is yet to accomplish the tag of genuine Test cricketer. His lack of form in the longer format prompted team management to drop him from the 100th Test match despite being a senior member of the squad and though he returned with some runs it never really solved his problems. Mahmudullah scored 122 runs in last 10 innings to complicate things further before scoring career saving hundred against Zimbabwe. Though he put up a ton against Zimbabwe it was never the same compared to the one that he scored against West Indies as he opted to play a traditional Test innings. I have brought some mental changes. It suits me how I bat in ODIs and T20s. I will go after the bowling even if from the first ball. I have had to work hard in this innings, as a result, said Mahmdullah, explaining what adjustment he made to translate his ODI and T20 form into Test format. I have been thinking from the second Test against Zimbabwe, I decided to take care of my mentality. I wanted to remain positive, nothing more than that. Mahmudullah, who resumed the innings on 34, did not achieve the feat without passing any difficulties as he looked quite vulnerable during the first hour of play. But after the end of the first hour of play he looked to be more settled as his confidence grew with each passing deliveries until he reached the nervous nineties when he really had to work it out in the middle like a true warrior. He had faced 40 deliveries in-between the nineties before he reached the magical figure as he smashed the half-tracker behind point for four off Roston Chase to raise his hundred. The ball wasnt coming on to the bat. When Shakib and I were batting on the first day, we had to work hard. I think we hit only a couple of boundaries. I wanted to be positive, but take minimum risks. Liton batted well, having returned to the side. I think this style suits him well, said Mahmudullah who dedicated this century to his mother. It was more intimidating considering the fact that there were several occasions when he looked to put under pressure but somehow he managed to keep his cool. I was also quite positive. The new ball was easier to bat against, which gave us more scoring options. It starts reducing as the ball gets older. We were looking to utilize the bad balls. The century helped Bangladesh to put on hefty 508 before the spinners reduced West Indies to 75 for five to establish the hosts complete control. Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan took five wickets in the first 12 overs of the visitors reply, recording a first in Test history in the process, as the first five batsmen were all bowled to spinners. We bowled in better areas. We wanted to take at least two or three wickets tonight but we got five wickets. It has given us confidence, he said.