Millions of Tiger’s fans glued to the TV found themselves confused after Bangladesh batsman Mahmudullah’s celebration following his match-winning unbeaten century against New Zealand at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Friday by showing his bat to his team mates.
Mahmudullah upon reaching his third ODI hundred first bowed down facing the direction of Mecca before showing his bat towards the dressing room left many guessing and confused.
This intriguing mystery was unveiled by a local English daily solving the mystery that this bat was signed by Mahmudullah’s six-year old son, Raeid, who had told his father to play with that particular willow in ICC Champions Trophy.
Mahmudullah displayed an autograph on his bat that was apparently signed by “someone special”. Many were left wondering if it was someone from the dressing room that he was indicating, perhaps one of his colleagues had signed the bat to make it a lucky charm.
However, what the Tigers cricketer had really indicated was that the lucky bat, with which he scored the magnificent undefeated hundred, was signed by his six-year old son, Raeid.
The 31-year old had come into the eighth edition of the tournament backed by not so happy memories from the recent past.
During Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka in March-April this year, Mahmudullah was at the centre of a drama over his selection in the national team. The Bangladesh think-tank was mulling of dropping the cricketer not only from the playing XI but also from the squad, citing his form.
But within just two months of that unfortunate episode, Mahmudullah rubbed off the memory in style as he played the centre stage for Bangladesh when he was needed most by his team. The Tigers made a wobbling beginning in pursue of 266 runs, reeling on 33/4, before Mahmudullah and ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan took charge and change the fate of match.
