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Mahmud keen to perform in second Test
Khaled Mahmud, with a test batting average of 10.64 and a bowling average of 244, said on Tuesday that his priority was to improve his personal performance.
Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud, with a Test batting average of 10.64 and a bowling average of 244, said on Tuesday that his priority was to improve his personal performance.
"I am not feeling the pressure of leading the Bangladesh team as we are improving in areas," he told reporters here on the eve of the second test match against Pakistan which starts on Wednesday.
"But I am a player first and I want to perform and contribute as a player to the team."
Bangladesh lost the first test by seven wickets to Pakistan, but took the match to a fifth day, only the third time they have done so since 2001.
The 32-year-old all-rounder who was appointed captain after a dismal performance from Bangladesh earlier this year in the World Cup has so far led his side in five tests and lost all of them.
His own performance has also not been up to the mark and before the first test against Pakistan at Karachi he had a bowling average of 406 runs per wicket.
Mahmud contributed 14 and a duck with the bat in Karachi and had figures of 1-74 and 0-8.
INCREASING SCRUTINY
"As a team we are working on certain areas of improvement and things have gone well. But as a player I do feel the pressure and responsibility."
His own contribution to the team and his ability to hold his place in the Bangladesh side has come under increasing scrutiny but Mahmud said despite the pressure he had no guilt pangs.
"I have been entrusted to do a job and I am doing it."
Mahmud said he would be happy if his team could improve upon their performance in the first test.
Coach Dav Whatmore said the key to the second test for Bangladesh would be to continue their improvement in some areas.
"We are basically setting ourselves a target of improving step by step. And our batting has to be better in this Test."
The former Australian batsman insisted he had no problems being coach of a side that had lost 21 of its 22 test matches and pointed out that the challenge was to change the attitude of the team.
"The positives are there and I think I have seen the potential in some of the players."
Bangladesh is expected to make one change in their side for this test to counter the hot conditions in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Pacer Manjural Islam is likely to replace Sanwar Hossain.
