Problem of plenty pleases Mahmudullah

While Bangladesh have not historically fared too well in T20s, the recent series victories over Zimbabwe and Australia have made them a confident bunch and going into a five-match series against a weakened New Zealand side, captain Mahmudullah Riyad is enjoying the competition for 11 places within the squad.

For a starter, the 19-member squad has three best wicketkeepers in the squad and two of them will be sharing the glovework over the five matches, head coach Russell Domingo had confirmed on Monday. 

Mahmudullah thinks this move will not demoralise anyone, instead it will help with the workload of the keepers.   

"Mushfiqur is a team man and he is happy to share his keeping work with Sohan (Nurul Hasan) which is absolutely fine. He's happy and Sohan is also happy. Sohan is keeping really well and Mushfiqur is outstanding. So it will be better for our team to share the workload," the captain said in a pre-series online press briefing today. 

Keeping is just one of the aspects of the team that are seeing competition, with the opening batting position and pace bowling department also having a number of players vying for limited number of spots.

Even in the absence of Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh's only centurion in T20 internationals, there are four players fighting for the two opening batting positions. Even though the opening partnership was not that effective against Australia, Mahmudullah thinks having options adds to a healthy competition within the squad.

"Liton is an outstanding opener while Soumya has been in good form this year.  Naim has been one of the top-ranked batter in our side. Mahedi is also an opening option. They are all in good rhythm. We have to make sure those who get the opportunity can contribute for the team. The positive competition within the team is a good sign," the captain said.

Pace bowling department has also seen new faces cornering the old ones. Shoriful Islam, in a short span of time, has proved himself the ideal deputy to Mustafizur Rahman, so much so that the likes of Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain are having to wait for their turns to prove themselves again. 

Mahmudullah feels these options and competitions are what can make Bangladesh a much better side in coming months. Currently in 10th position, Bangladesh can up with victories against the Kiwis, with a 5-0 whitewash of the visitors slated to take them to fifth position. 

"Shoriful bowled well in four matches (against Australia). Mustafiz has been outstanding. Taskin has been bowling well but not getting enough opportunities. We have Rubel. Saifuddin made most of the opportunity. There's good competition going on in every department," the captain said, adding that he believes consistent performances will take the team forward.