“If we are removing Mahmudullah because of his performance, I would say there are many other cricketers in the team who should get axed. Test match is for the experienced players, especially when you are playing against a team like Sri Lanka at their home. And even if we have to drop Mahmudullah from the XI, I don't see a reason behind sending him back home,” said Aminul to Dhaka Tribune during an interview on Tuesday.
“This is not an ICC tournament that he cannot be carried by the team. Even a few months back, the team had moved with 22 players so why should there even be a discussion of sending Mahmudullah back home? There is no question of lack of professionalism with Mahmudullah. He is not only an ideal cricketer for Bangladesh but for any team. He is a gentleman and a true team mate,” said Aminul, who is now a cricket development officer with the ICC.
According to Aminul, incidents like this create panic in the team, “And that affects the team result. These incidents break the side apart and create grouping because surviving in the team becomes important. This is really sad and I am sorry for Mahmudullah.”
Bangladesh cricket was rocked on Monday when news broke out that Mahmudullah has been removed from the national team from all formats of the game. It was also learnt that he was to be sent back home from Colombo.
Given his below-par performance in Tests, there were no questions that a break from regular action might help him to come back stronger in the longer version.
However, the majority in the cricketing arena were unable to accept his exclusion from the limited-over formats.
Later, BCB president Nazmul Hasan ruled out any such development, saying Mahmudullah is very much part of the limited-over sides. In the evening, the BCB named a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and Mahmudullah was included.
Friday, June 20, 2025
