Would fight for my place in Test side: Mahmudullah
The Daily Star (TDS): How is life during the growing coronavirus outbreak worldwide?
Mahmudullah Riyad (MR): Life is good so far Alhamdulillah; healthy and fine. I'm spending time with my family members at home. I think because of the pandemic worldwide, we all are trying to remain disciplined and maintain safety properly. It's better to stay at home, and we know we have to wash our hands and wear masks. If we really need to go outside, we should definitely wear masks properly and maintain social distance. Cricketing-wise it's frustrating and I am especially missing my game a lot at the moment although I am working on my fitness.
TDS: What are your plans as captain of the T20 side?
MR: I always believe that to play T20 cricket, you need freedom to play your shots and obviously you have to take that freedom on to your game. You just can't carry fear of failure in your heart and play. Being the T20 captain, I have always tried to spread these two messages to the boys within the group. Probably we still have a lot to prove in the shortest format and hopefully we can do it properly this time around. For that I need to have all the support from the management and the players so that I can gain the trust as a captain and we can do well as a group.
TDS: Do you think long-term role helps a captain? Do you also want long-term captaincy?
MR: Obviously, I think long-term captaincy always makes a difference to a person who leads the side and also with the players to gain the confidence. I think the captain needs to earn the respect and confidence from the players, of which Mashrafe (Bin Mortaza) bhai is a perfect example. He has that image within our group and probably it's a good idea to follow in this regard. Obviously, every captain has his own plans and methods to lead the team. I have my own style to lead the team and what I always want is to be more consistent in the T20 format. We still need to prove to the world and we have to be a better and consistent side in the shortest format.
TDS: How do you see Mominul Haque as a captain? Many thought he was too introvert as a person for that role.
MR: I think Mominul is the right choice as the Test captain. He is a hard-working cricketer and a performer and I believe he will definitely grow as a captain. I wish him all the best. I don't think he is introvert as a captain. He is quite expressive when he needs to be and also demanding according to the situations which is a very good sign for a captain.
TDS: What are your plans regarding a return to the Test side?
MR: I don't know because there is no cricket at the moment and we are all waiting to return to the field. Obviously, there will be plans once I return to cricket and definitely, I would like to fight for my place in the Test team. I hope I will get the opportunity.
TDS: After scoring your maiden Test hundred back in 2010, you went seven years without a century. Then you scored three centuries in four matches in 2018-19. Did you think your Test form was finally turning around?
MR: Actually, I never thought of it that way, never thought about the three centuries in four Tests. In fact Tamim mentioned that to me once and only then I got to realise that. However, I think I need to be more consistent in Test cricket and I always try to work on that. I didn't perform up to the mark in the last few Tests as the expectation is always there being a senior player. I need to step up but I didn't deliver and also, I got injured during the pink ball Test in Kolkata. But I am looking forward to getting back to the Test side and to try to perform as much I can to make an opportunity for myself.
TDS: Among the four tons, which one do you rate the highest?
MR: My maiden Test hundred is always very special to me. I think we were struggling at a certain position in that Test against New Zealand back in 2010 in Hamilton. Shakib and I had a very good partnership and I always cherish that hundred.
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