Four years ago on March 22, almost every Bangladesh fan cried following the Tigers’ heart-breaking two-run loss against Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup at home.
A helpless Mahmudullah was crying his way to the dressing room after being unable to steer his side to victory. Ten runs were required in the final over but Bangladesh managed only seven. Mahmudullah was not the only cricketer who cried that day, though. The morale-shattering defeat left each and every single Bangladesh cricketer in tears.
As fate would have it, Mahmudullah got another shot at glory. Against the same opposition. At the same venue. In the same tournament. And in the same month, March, the month of independence.
This time, Mahmudullah, an “unsung hero” to some and a “silent killer” to others, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and guided Bangladesh to a historical win, and in the process, a final date with India.
The Tigers might have been under tremendous pressure but the 30-year-old was coolness personified right till the end of the innings. Deservedly, it was him who smashed the winning boundary to spark wild celebrations at the home of cricket in Mirpur.
Yet again, the stylish batsman proved that he is the nucleus of the Tigers line-up. However, the ride has been anything but rosy for the Mymensingh lad as he had to face a lot of criticism during his bad patches. Some even said his presence in the Bangladesh dressing room was down to his personal relationship with Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim.
Mahmudullah remained a picture of patience and never burst out in anger. He started working harder and retained his hunger for success.
And he was rewarded in some style. In what was probably the most defining moment of his career, Mahmudullah inspired the Tigers to the quarter-final of the 2015 World Cup; the first time in history they qualified for the last eight. He blasted back-to-back centuries in the flagship event, becoming the only Bangladesh batsman to do so. Among his two tons, the century against England will always remain fresh in the memories of just about any cricket faithful.
Finally, following the World Cup, Mahmudullah broke his silence in an exclusive interview with the Dhaka Tribune. He said that the criticisms really hurt him.
“It was the toughest period of my life. I heard these things which hurt me a lot. Some of them even said such things in front of me which made me feel really bad. But, my family supported me at that time. My father, mother and wife, who all support me through thick and thin, helped me overcome the toughest phase of my career. I was determined to prove myself. However, it was very tough for me mentally,” he said back then.
Since then, Mahmudullah kept his head down and silently contributed away for his country. There might be bad times ahead but one should never forget his contributions and heroics, especially after the game against Pakistan last Wednesday.
With today’s Sri Lanka-Pakistan clash being a dead-rubber, all that remains now of the 14th Asia Cup is Sunday’s final. The 16 crore people will surely raise their hands in prayers, hoping for one more effort from Mahmudullah, the man who loves to make a substantive yet unrecognised contribution.
