Rajkot, Nov 7 (UNI) After registering their first-ever win over India in the shortest format
in the series opener in Delhi, captain Mahmudullah said a maiden T20I series win over
the hosts would be "a big boost" for Bangladesh, following the recent turmoil that hit
the team.
In the ongoing three-match T20I series in India, Bangladesh are without the services
of two of their stalwarts – all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has been handed a two-year
suspension after he accepted three charges for breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code,
and opening batsman Tamim Iqbal.
However, they still managed to cope up with the recent turmoil, and in the absence of
their star players, bounced back with an impressive seven-wicket win in the T20I opener,
their first-ever victory over India in the shortest format, an ICC report said.
"The mental barrier you speak of, we might have come out of that, even if a little bit,"
Mahmudullah said ahead of the second T20I. "I think in T20 cricket, this sort of chance
comes often and it depends on how we keep calm and execute our skills to try and win
the game."
"Obviously, I think, it is a great-great opportunity, especially when you have already
won the first game in the series, so it's a great opportunity and I think the boys are
feeling energetic about it and hopefully we can put up a good show tomorrow," he said.
Mahmudullah added that after the recent events, including players' strike and Shakib's suspension, a maiden series win over India "will be a big boost" for Bangladesh cricket
and his team.
"If you concentrate on the recent developments, whatever is going on in Bangladesh
cricket, a series win will be a big boost for Bangladesh cricket and also a big boost for
Bangladesh cricket team," Mahmudullah said. "We have to play good cricket to beat
India because we know that they are a good side on their home side and across all
over the world, so we have to be on our top from the first ball."
"India are very strong in their home soil and they have proven it in the last 11-12
years how strong they are. It will be a big achievement if we can win," he added.
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