Khulna Titans captain Mahmudullah believes team performance is way more important than individual displays and hoped they would play some exciting cricket this season as they have a better team, compared to last year, thanks to quality foreign players in their team.
Mahmudullah was in sublime form last season, guiding his side to third position in Khulna’s first season in the BPL T20. He scored 396 runs in 14 innings and also took 10 wickets to be adjudged player of the tournament.
“Thanks everyone for coming. I would like to thank Khulna team director Kazi Inam Ahmed for naming me as the captain again. I am really happy to be a part of KT once again. Last year I had a really good time, especially with the management and players we had. We did really well last season. We would like to play better cricket this year, compared to last season,” Mahmudullah told the media on Wednesday.
“I am really excited to work with Mahela Jayawardene. It’s a great opportunity for me and all the players, particularly the locals, to play under Jayawardene. He has been a great ambassador for cricket, and a legend for Sri Lanka, and all around the world. Hopefully I will learn something from him. Thanks to the management again. We are a better team this season with some quality overseas signings so far. Hopefully we will perform well.
“Target is definitely to become champion. But apart from our goal, I think the team environment and ethics are also important. I believe if a team can go forward with good ethics, then their results become positive eventually,” he said.
Generally, Mahmudullah bats at No 6 and 7 for Bangladesh and often fulfils the role as a finisher.
But for Khulna, Mahmudullah batted a little higher last year.
When queried about his specific role in the batting order, the captain said he will perform any role the team demand.
“Whatever role team will give me, I will try to contribute. I always believe, teams come first. There is nothing more important than team. When I started my playing career, since then I have followed this rule. I always said I will play in any position. It maybe top-order or middle-order or as a finisher,” he said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gJS8qedCDE
Last season, the franchise was heavily dependent on Mahmudullah’s performance as he single-handedly won a few matches from critical situations.
The local players did not perform according to expectations and the skipper had to take a lot of responsibility, in both batting and bowling.
This year however, Mahmudullah believes the local players will contribute significantly.
“Last year I had a good tournament. But I believe team performance is much more important than personal achievement. Last season was good but I think we did not reach our goal. But this year we have a more balanced team. And we are hopeful that we will bring out better results this year. And I believe the contribution of local players in BPL is the most important thing. Because not only will it benefit the team, it will help Bangladesh cricket also,” he concluded.
