Break from cricket 'was a bit boring'
Mahmudullah Riyad might have been one of the better batsmen for Bangladesh during the World Twenty20 but he definitely would want to forget the way he ended the campaign.
He managed to sky a full-toss in Bangladesh's penultimate Super 10 match, against India, when the Tigers required just two runs and then in the last game against New Zealand, he was deceived by a googly from Ish Sodhi. Considering that he is generally a good player of spin, the latter was disappointing as well, even if not as painful as the former.
With an aim to bury those memories, Riyad returned to the field yesterday after a break of nearly two weeks.
He had arrived at the National Cricket Academy in Mirpur early in the afternoon and sweated it out with a few routine drills. The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) is more than a week away and Riyad seems to be taking extremely serious preparatory measures.
And why shouldn't he? Of all the icon players, he was the first one to get picked. There was not much confusion as far as Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club were concerned. They knew that they had to select Riyad as soon as they received the opportunity to make the first call during the players draft.
It was something that Riyad appreciated. “I actually didn't notice it at first but I realised it later. It feels good to be the first Icon player to get called and I would like to thank Sheikh Jamal,” Riyad told reporters in his usual calm and composed method.
At the back of his mind, the memory of the India defeat might still be needling him, but on the whole, the 30-year-old seemed quite stress-free.
“In the last few months we were really busy with cricket. But it's a lot more relaxing now because of the two-week gap we got after the World Cup. We have the DPL up ahead and there are a number of big series ahead as well and I have to prepare myself,” he said.
“I was out of cricket for the last two weeks and honestly speaking it was a little boring. But right now it feels good after coming back to the field. I have started practising. Hopefully the league will start as soon as possible. We are all eagerly waiting to get some game-time again,” added Riyad.
Sheikh Jamal may not have formed a team as strong as the likes of Abahani Limited or Prime Bank Cricket Club, but Riyad reckons it will be interesting to play for the 'young' outfit.
“It's a young team and it will be a big challenge for me and the club. But at the same time it's a good opportunity. I enjoy playing with youngsters. They like to take challenges,” said Riyad.
Having transformed himself into an extremely consistent middle-order batsman, Riyad hopes he can continue his good run this year.
“My work ethic has been the key to my change. And I hope to work harder in the coming days and make myself fitter,” he said.