We needed to be a bit more positive: Mahmudullah

Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah Riyad said Bangladesh needed to be a bit more positive in the second Twenty20 International in which Indian crushed the visiting Tigers by eight wickets to level series 1-1 in India’s Rajkot on Thursday.

“We need to assess the conditions when we go to Nagpur. We needed to be a bit more positive,” Mahmudullah was quoted to have said to the news agency AFP.

He also said, “Was a very good wicket, but we were 25-30 runs short. Having said that, credit to Rohit and Shikhar, how they started. Momentum went their way”.

Put into bat first, a 60-run opening partnership between Mohammad Naim and Liton Das helped Bangladesh make 153 for 6.

Skipper Rohit Sharma smashed 85 in his 100th Twenty20 international and  put on 118 runs with opening partner Shikhar Dhawan as the hosts achieved their target of 154 in only 15.4 overs to make the three-match series 1-1.

“I knew that Rajkot is a good track, knew (it) will be difficult for bowlers in the second innings,” said Sharma was quoted to have said.

He went on saying, “We took advantage of that, had a great powerplay. After that, it was all about going on.

“I never underestimate bowlers. All these years, I’ve just tried to do my best with the bat in hand. Knew conditions were perfect, so all I wanted to do was stay still and tonk the ball.”

The final match is on Sunday in Nagpur.