BCB President Hints at Shakib Al Hasan as Potential ODI Captain Amid Availability Uncertainty
Tamim Iqbal's resignation has put Bangladesh cricket in a muddle
The leadership of Bangladesh team hangs in the balance as the country's cricket board (BCB) deliberates over the appointment of a new One Day International (ODI) captain.
Shakib touted as favourite for Bangladesh's ODI captaincy
This decision comes on the back of Tamim Iqbal's recent resignation from the role due to a persistent back injury. BCB president, Nazmul Hassan, has pointed out the necessity of knowing top candidate Shakib Al Hasan's availability before appointing him as the successor.
As the current Test and T20I captain, Shakib brings a wealth of experience, having previously led the national team in ODI cricket, notably during the 2011 World Cup. Despite initial indications suggesting vice-captain Litton Das as Tamim's successor, Shakib's credentials have positioned him as the favourite, given his availability.
“We have not discussed captaincy yet. We have to take a break and think about it. As I have said before, if it was one series, we could have gone with the vice-captain (Litton) but now we have to think long term,” said Nazmul in a press conference on Saturday.
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Nazmul outlined the dual challenge facing the BCB: the pressure of upcoming World Cup commitments and the potential risk of appointing a new leader who may be unavailable in a year. He admitted that Shakib's candidature was the most straightforward, however, the uncertainty surrounding his two-year commitment necessitated a cautious approach.
“There are two problems. If we think about the long term it is one thing. But there is the World Cup as well and the pressure of the World Cup is not small,” added the BCB President.
Nazmul stated that while Shakib is the most apparent selection, it remains uncertain whether he will be available to play for a two-year period. Therefore, it is necessary to ascertain his plans and engage in discussions with the board. He believes that opting for Shakib is the simplest decision and sees no issues with it.
“Shakib is the obvious choice but can you say he will play for two years? We don't know that and so we need to know his plan and talk with the board. I think the easiest choice is Shakib and there is no problem with it,” concluded the 62-year-old.
The sense of urgency surrounding this decision is heightened by the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 that is slated to begin on August 30 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Without an appointed ODI captain, the team's selection remains incomplete.
Bangladesh head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha is scheduled to arrive on August 8 to initiate skill training and gear up for the tournament which intensifiers the pressure for a quick resolution to the leadership quandary.
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