Hosts Bangladesh will not be complacent when they take on Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI of the series at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Friday.
Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah pressed on the fact that all ODIs are equally important now for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League.
The men in red and green have already secured the series, winning the first two matches and will now look for a clean sweep, and also grab 10 points from the game.
Bangladesh moved to the top of the Super League standing after winning the first two matches of the series.
The home team registered a 103-run victory (Duckworth/Lewis method) in the second ODI to bolster their standing in the Super League, and move to the top of the table with five wins and 50 points in eight games.
Bangladesh had moved to No 4 in the table with the 33-run win in the first game Sunday at the same venue.
Bangladesh in the Super League are now followed by England, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand.
The four teams have 40 points each, but are different in net run rate which puts England in second spot, followed by Pakistan in third.
“All matches are important now because it is about qualifying for the World Cup. All matches are equally important for us and another opportunity for us to grab 10 points, so why not? But like I said we have not been able to give our best performance in the series so far. We will look to come out strong and take 10 points by winning the game,” said Mahmudullah to the media Thursday.
Mahmudullah has recently recovered his full fitness thanks to his hard work, apart from skill training, as per the claim of the cricketer.
Mahmudullah, in the tour of New Zealand earlier this year, was suffering from back injury.
The all-rounder missed out on the last T20 of the series and handed the charge to wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das to lead the T20 team in the game.
Later, while the Test team toured Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, Mahmudullah was at home busy training on his rehab and fitness.
“I think I am at the best of fitness level in my career now. I have been working on this for last two years. Extra running, extra gym and balancing exercise have been part of my fitness regime,” said the Bangladesh T20 captain.
Mahmudullah’s effort was evident in the field as he emerged key for Bangladesh's batting in the first two matches of the series against Sri Lanka.
The right-handed middle-order batsman scored 54 runs in the first game and 41 in the second at crucial times of the innings.
With his full fitness, Mahmudullah has returned to action with the ball.
During the ongoing series he broke his long break of not bowling for Bangladesh.
The last time the off-spinner had bowled before this series was during their tour of New Zealand in February 2019.
“I am trying to be consistent and honestly, feeling well about it. I always try to focus on contributing for the team on the right time as I bat at No 6. My contribution turns out to be good for the team,” he said.
“I have returned to bowling too. I am available to bowl for the team whenever there is need,” Mahmudullah added.
