Mahmudullah will take Shakib’s spot on the Jamaica Tallwahs’ roster
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
The Jamaica Tallawahs have signed Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah as a replacement for his compatriot Shakib Al Hasan.
Mahmdullah was overlooked for the first Test against Australia, which begins on August 27 in Mirpur, but Shakib was not as he has been a valuable asset for Bangladesh with both the bat and ball.
The Tallawahs currently sit in third place on the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) standings and Mahmudullah is looking to use this opportunity as a stepping stone to regaining his place in the national team ahead of second Test against Australia, which gets underway on September 4 in Chittagong.
“I am very excited to join the CPL,” Mahmudullah told Cricbuzz on Sunday. “It’s a big opportunity for me and I am looking forward to make that count.”
The 31-year-old is expected to face a lot of competition to break into the playing XI, but he welcomes it with open arms as he feels it will force him to take his game to the next level.
Should he be able to do this, it will more than likely put him on the national selectors’ radar ahead of the second Test against Australia.
“It is true that you won’t be selected just by your name. I know there will be some stiff competition. It will be challenging and I am looking forward to it,” he said. “I think this kind of tournament will help me to grow as a cricketer as some of the world’s leading players are featuring in it.”
Mahmudullah added that he is looking forward to playing cricket in the Caribbean as he enjoys the atmosphere in the stadiums during matches.
“Cricket in West Indies is something that I [have] always enjoyed because of the way they celebrate the game. The atmosphere itself gives you different kind of feeling,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz will also return to Bangladesh for the Test series against Australia. As a result, the Trinbago Knight Riders, who have already qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament, have called up West Indies all-rounder Ashley Nurse as his replacement.