Can Riyad rise to occasion?
Can Riyad rise to occasion?
Mahmudullah Riyad has the lazy elegance -- from walking to the crease to batting on it -- in him. When the bat of the 28-year-old all-rounder speaks, it gives the ardent cricket lovers immense pleasure. But what remains to be seen is whether the man from Mymensingh can prove his prowess on the biggest stage -- the World Cup.
Undoubtedly Riyad has got the quality to put in an inspiring appearance during his side's campaign in Australia and New Zealand next month. He also has a secret World Cup dream which he did not want to make public while talking to The Daily Star yesterday.
One may have forgotten his small but significant 21-run knock in his maiden World Cup appearance in 2011 which gave hosts Bangladesh a memorable two-wicket victory over England at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong, but he will need to come all guns blazing in his second appearance in the mega event as a lot will depend on a senior member like him for the Tigers to succeed. Like his measured smile, the team expects a measured batting down the order and measured bowling from him.
Riyad has already played 110 ODIs since making his debut against Sri Lanka in 2007. And with his experience he knows best what he should do. More importantly his experience during the bad times when he had to swallow many bitter pills has definitely made him more matured. The right-hander started getting back his rhythm in the last West Indies trip and his performance against Zimbabwe at home gave him relief ahead of the big challenge.
"True, the performance against Zimbabwe provided me the much-needed confidence but I know I have to do more, especially when I am going to play the World Cup in trying conditions. I am working hard like my other teammates and what I believe is that physical fitness is also very important for good and consistent performance," Riyad said.
"I can feel it that as a senior member of the team the expectation will be high not only as a batsman but also as an off-spinner. I believe we need to start well from the practice matches so that we can get the momentum with us going into the tournament proper and it's very important."
The experienced campaigner informed that he was watching the Big Bash League and the Australia-India series and that gave him the idea that the conditions were not as tough as told to be.
"It's my opinion that everybody should emphasise on their own strong point rather than trying something different," opined the all-rounder.
It's not always easy to hog the spotlight batting at number seven, but the all-rounder said that he would love to contribute to the team from his position. "My motto is to contribute to the team, no matter if it's with one wicket or a few runs. Batting at number seven you may not get the opportunity to make big scores, but I would be happy if I can contribute. And if the opportunity comes to bat up the order then I will definitely try to make something big," hoped Riyad.
Riyad is apparently a very calm and quiet character, but he revealed he loves to make fun with his close friends and teammates. And he knows that only good performance by his team and especially by himself in the World Cup will provide him the opportunity to make more fun not only with his close associates but also with many others.