“Mahmudullah got left out because this is an important Test for us”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan has revealed that it was his decision to drop all-rounder Mahmudullah for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Hassan admitted that Mahmdullah’s poor form was the reason why he was axed from the squad for Bangladesh’s 100th Test match.

“I take all the decisions,” Hassan said in Colombo. “I have said it repeatedly that I take every decision. The decision that [Mahmudullah] won’t play the Test also has to come from me. And no one told me that he won’t be in the ODI squad. Until I take the decision, what others say doesn’t count. Chandika [Hathurusingha, the coach] doesn’t send me anything, it is the selectors who send me the list of players.

“Mahmudullah got left out because this is an important Test for us. Just because we like Mahmudullah, Shakib [Al Hasan], Tamim [Iqbal] and Mushfiqur, doesn’t mean we will sit around while they keep playing with poor form. It will make the team unstable.”

Hassan also indicated that another high-profile player would have been dropped had wicketkeeper Liton Das not sustained an injury. It is likely that the player Hassan is referring to is captain Mushfiqur Rahim.

“There would have been a bigger change had Liton Das not got injured,” he said. “Anyone can be dropped. I don’t need a player in the squad who effects a team after being dropped. This message has to be clear. Whoever is replacing a senior player, you have to encourage him, impart intelligence to him. It is a team game after all.”