Mahmudullah banking on bowlers

Following batting failures in the first two games of the three-match T20I series, Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad said that if his batters can take responsibility, the bowlers have the ability to defend a fighting total against West Indies in the third and final T20I in Guyana today.

Bangladesh's batting remained the biggest area of concern as the top-order was unable to make an impact in the Powerplay in the first two games while the lower middle order also failed to live up to the expectations.

"I think T20 cricket is such a game where, at times, the openers will give a good start while middle-order might not be able to continue, but someone has to take the responsibility like Shakib Al Hasan did in the previous game. His innings helped us reach close to 160-mark. So if someone at number seven can play a cameo of 20 or 30, we can consistently score 160-170 runs.

"I have the belief that if the batters can consistently score 170 runs, our bowlers can defend that total as we have a good bowling attack. Our bowlers might not have bowled well in the previous game, but in the past our bowlers were able to defend small totals. Still I have huge faith on my bowlers and hopefully they will replicate that," Mahmudullah told the media yesterday.

According to the 36-year-old, the visitors are expected to change the team combination for the third and decisive game. Despite the overcast conditions, Mahmudullah hinted that they may include left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and will go with two seamers and two spinners in the line-up. There is forecast for rain today.