National team director Khaled Mahmud Sujon said after training in Mirpur on Monday, “Although there are two days left for the announcement of the team (for the World Cup), it is too early to answer it now. Since Mahmudullah is in the Riyadh camp, he is still an important part of us in white-ball cricket and was also in Tests, though he retired. I’ve thought about it, but haven’t decided yet. A decision will be made when the time comes to finalize the team”

He also said that a boy like Riyad has been serving Bangladesh cricket for so many years, “It would not be right to make a hasty decision about him. We always appreciate his service. But there will be no one for the whole life that is also normal.” Since 2007, Mahmudullah Riyad has played a record 121 matches for Bangladesh in T20. Regarding this experienced cricketer, Sujon said, “Since he still plays T20, he has experience. But we are not singling anyone out on that basis. Riyadh is as important to us; similarly, someone like Yasir Ali Rabbi is equally important to us. All are contracted players of the national team.”

He also said, “Riyad still has interest and effort to play. However, I did not get what I expected from Riyadh. Of course, there are small innings, not at all. 27 off 27 balls, some runs off 22 balls. But Riyad is the match winner. It should not be forgotten. He has some innings in ODIs too, in which he alone won Bangladesh. You cannot suddenly say “no” to such a boy. But of course, the team is bigger than the individual. At the end of the day, we will do what is needed for the Bangladesh team.”