Bangladesh T20I skipper Mahmudullah has revealed that Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar helped him to get a sponsor during his initial days.
Mahmudullah said that one day while he was returning from practice, he got a call from the agent of Tendulkar. The agent told him that Sachin had recommended his name to Adidas to sign him. Adidas is the second-largest sportswear manufacturer in the world and had ‘Little Master’ as one of its brand ambassadors during that period.
“One day, I was returning home from practice through a cab; at that time, someone called me. By that time Adidas might have been the sponsor of Sachin sir, and as I was young at that time I had no sponsor, so that person told me that Sachin sir has recommended you to get a sponsor, I couldn’t understand what to say,” Mahmudullah said during a recent Facebook live session with Cricfrenzy.
“I still thank him a lot as I haven’t got the chance to say that in front because we grew up watching his matches and it was a great privilege to be able to play against him. Having this compliment and that suggestion means a lot to me and I really really thank him,” the 34-year-old added.
There were stories that Tendulkar had said that Mahmudullah will be the next big thing for Bangladesh. However, the Bangladeshi all-rounder said that he didn’t know this.
“Actually, this is the first time I’m hearing it from you. Thank you for giving me such a big compliment. I’m feeling so good, thank you very much,” Mahmudullah said when he was informed about Tendulkar’s remark about his future.
“I’ve played against him probably in 2008 I think we had a home series and I had my debut in July 2007. So, I’ve played pretty well in that series,” he concluded.
The experienced Mahmudullah took over from Shakib-al-Hasan as captain of Bangladesh’s T20 side after ICC banned the latter for two years.
