Bangladesh national team director Khaled Mahmud admitted that the Tigers need to improve a lot in the 20-over format, but also believes that they can win even the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup despite going through a rough patch in the last few months.
Bangladesh had a torrid time in T20Is since the last T20 World Cup where they lost to Scotland in the first round.
In the second round the Tigers lost close matches against Sri Lanka and the West Indies while in the last two games they were bundled out below 100 against South Africa and Australia.
Later the Tigers lost series against Pakistan, the West Indies and even against Zimbabwe which cost Mahmudullah his captaincy and head coach Russell Domingo was relieved from his duty from T20 format.
Tigers’ fortunes did not improve under new captain Shakib al Hasan and new technical consultant Sridharan Sriram as they lost both the matches against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and were knocked out of the Asia Cup.
With the T20 World Cup knocking on the door, former national captain Mahmud believes the team have to improve in a lot of areas and be patient in order to bring success in this format.
“I always say one thing, everyone has their own philosophy. Maybe Russell’s philosophy is completely different to Sriram’s. However, it is too early to talk about Sri (Sriram). Even then I am happy how he worked in the Asia Cup. His vision, how he thinks and wants to implement things on the boys, I liked it,” said Mahmud to the media Wednesday.
“He’s (Sriram) here for a short period of time. The things which we need to implement, it will be challenging and not easy. Because as a team we have not played well in this format. Truth be told, we are far below in the ranking, we can’t do any worse.
“The thing is, we have to climb up the ranking fast. When we do that we will become a formidable team. Maybe it will take time. We all have to be patient. We have to accept a lot of things. Perhaps we will lose during this period, and we will also be victorious. Biggest thing is if we are able to develop in this format, whether we can play well. We want the lads to play attacking cricket and with freedom.
“I always say this, maybe some take it lightly. In this format you can’t do two things – give someone freedom and then ask why did you get out? One might get out in the first ball, we have to accept this.
“While following the process, we might lose one or two matches in the New Zealand tour (against the hosts and Pakistan) and the T20 World Cup. We will be lucky if we win, maybe we will win two or three matches. Actually the position we are in, I can’t say anything for sure.”
Even though Bangladesh are facing tough times in T20Is, Mahmud said this is a good side and he has the belief that as a team the Tigers can even win the next World Cup.
“Obviously we have confidence, I try to be confident and positive all the time. I want to win. I think we might even be world champions. I think this in my head. Even then the road ahead will not be easy, the next six months or a year will be difficult. I am not saying a lot will change during this period, but if our mentality changes I will be most delighted,” said Mahmud.
Mahmud believes Bangladesh players also have talent like the superstars in world cricket but it’s just a lack of belief and improper execution which see them fall short more often.
“We cannot play in the same way Rohit (Sharma) does, he can play shots and we cannot; I don’t believe this and have never doubted it. What Virat (Kohli) can do, Afif (Hossain) cannot, I don’t believe this. Maybe Afif can do it better. We hold ourselves back by not having courage, I want to break this barrier. I want them to play with freedom,” said the former all-rounder.
“Our bowlers can’t execute like bowlers from other countries, I have never believed this. I think our bowlers are better than many countries. But as I said, we lack belief and hence fall short every time.
“I have seen a few successes, maybe some will say where is the success as we have lost many times. I have been in the dressing room, and gradually small changes are happening in the boys’ mentality. This is a long process and not a short one. If our process is right, and we have to be patient, then Bangladesh may also be a strong team in this format.”