Riyad Most Cool-headed and Big Match Performer: Hathuru

Bangladesh had a seemingly easy target of 125 runs in 120 balls to defeat Sri Lanka, but the match turned out to be more challenging than anticipated. Throughout the game, the competition was intense. According to the Bangladeshi captain, this was one of the most pressure-filled games he has ever played. Mahmudullah Riyad, who led from the front, managed to handle the pressure and guided the team to victory. Riyad's performance has earned him widespread praise, including from head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who hailed him as a 'big match performer.'

Bangladesh started their World Cup campaign with a thrilling two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. However, the team’s confidence had been low due to recent performances, including continuous failures from the top order, a series defeat to the USA, and a heavy loss to India in a warm-up match. Despite these setbacks, the win against Sri Lanka hinted at a resurgence for Najmul Hossain Shanto and his teammates. Mahmudullah Riyad once again rose to the occasion, playing a crucial role in the win.

A photo of Riyad and Hathurusingha after the match has been widely shared on social media, showing the head coach speaking to Riyad with a hand on his shoulder. In the pre-match press conference for their next game, Hathurusingha showered Riyad with praise, highlighting his composure under pressure.

"He is batting in that position because he can finish well. He has a lot of experience. Under pressure, he is one of the calmest players in our team. He knows his job. He told me during the innings that he wanted to bat through, no matter what. And he did it. This isn't the first time he has done it. He is a big match performer. He has performed well for us in most World Cups."

Sri Lanka, almost eliminated from the World Cup after the two-wicket defeat to the Tigers, contrasts sharply with Bangladesh, who still harbor hopes of making it to the Super Eight. Despite the win, Hathurusingha is not entirely satisfied, particularly concerned about the batting performance. He has identified the reasons for the recent failures:

"I am expecting better performances. We had a century partnership 2-3 matches ago. We have been somewhat inconsistent here. There is a lack of confidence as well. The format is tough because you have to start hitting from the beginning, which makes it hard to take time to get back in form. Confidence is crucial in T20 cricket. Some players are not scoring runs. It’s not a technical issue because they are doing well in training. The lack of confidence is why runs are hard to come by. The positive thing is that Liton scored well according to the situation. That was encouraging."

This analysis reflects the concerns and cautious optimism within the Bangladesh camp as they look forward to their upcoming matches in the World Cup.