T20I series win against India 'will be a big boost for Bangladesh cricket' – Mahmudullah
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.
Bangladesh claimed a historic seven-wicket victory over India in the first T20I on Sunday 👏
— ICC (@ICC) November 6, 2019
Can they take an unassailable lead of 2-0, or will India level the three-match series 1-1?#INDvBAN second T20I preview 👇https://t.co/rYiAHJfxDP
"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.
"It's a great moment for Bangladesh cricket because we had not won against India in the T20 format before."
Mushfiqur Rahim reflects on 🇧🇩's historic triumph over 🇮🇳 in the first #INDvBAN T20I 👇 https://t.co/Q6HX6kaQIF
— ICC (@ICC) November 4, 2019
"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."
The second T20I will be played in Rajkot on Thursday, 7 November.