I want to say a lot of things, but this is not the perfect time: Mahmudullah
Mahmudullah batted at number six for the first time in the tournament as Bangladesh decided to have Mehidy Hasan Miraz take the number seven spot. The middle-order batter hit 11 fours and four sixes in his run-a-ball 111 but a lack of contribution from others meant Bangladesh could go nowhere near the target of 383 set by the Proteas.
Mahmudullah hit his fourth ODI hundred against South Africa although Bangladesh lost the game by a big margin. His batting has been one of very few positives for Bangladesh in the tournament. It was his third hundred across four World Cups.
Mahmudullah batted at number six for the first time in the tournament as Bangladesh decided to have Mehidy Hasan Miraz take the number seven spot. The middle-order batter hit 11 fours and four sixes in his run-a-ball 111 but a lack of contribution from others meant Bangladesh could go nowhere near the target of 383 set by the Proteas.
After completing the hundred, Mahmudullah jumped in the air, pointed towards heaven and thanked the Almighty by performing a sajdah.
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There have been suggestions of having the experienced duo of Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur bat higher up the order but skipper Shakib Al Hasan reiterated after the match that they are doing well in the roles given to them.
"I can't say anything [regarding the batting average order]," Mahmudullah said in the post-match press conference. "I also want to talk about a lot of things, but probably this is not the right time."
Mahmudullah did not feature in the home and away ODI series against Ireland, home series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup before making a comeback in the New Zealand series just before the World Cup.
"It [the layoff] was a good time. I always want to represent the country and contribute. It would have felt good if it came in a winning cause. I will try to contribute to the team and win matches," he said.
