'If you consider our current team situation, then Shakib bhai is best' - Mehidy Hasan Miraz

Bangladesh spin-bowling all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz believes that champion all-rounder and veteran cricketer Shakib Al Hasan is the best man to lead the Test team.

Shakib was recently appointed captain of the Test team following the resignation of Mominul Haque after the 0-1 series defeat to Sri Lanka on home soil last month.

Miraz revealed to the Daily Star that he was one of the players who were approached for captaincy. However, he added that he was taken aback by the approach considering the side already has a capable leader like Shakib.

He also wished Shakib all the best for his tenure.

"When there was Shakib Bhai, then how come me also. Shakib Bhai is an experienced campaigner. If you consider our current team situation, then Shakib bhai is best," Miraz said.

Miraz missed the Test series against Sri Lanka due to a finger injury he sustained during the Dhaka Premier League. However, the all-rounder has attained full fitness and is looking ahead to the all-important tour of the Caribbean islands.

"We played in West Indies before and I believe a big challenge awaits us there. We are going to play all three formats this time. Last time we didn't play well in the Test series but this time Shakib Bhai is there and he is in form and we will try to play good cricket. Hope our batting will overcome the bad patch soon," he added.

This is not the first time that Shakib has been appointed Test captain. It will be his 3rd stint. He was first appointed Test skipper in 2009 (against the West Indies). 

Hasan's tenure ended in an acrimonious fashion following his fall-out with then BCB chief Mustafa Kamal.

He returned back at the helm in 2017, but the term was cut short in October 2019 when he was suspended(banned) for two years for not reporting an approach from the bookies to the ICC ACU.

Shakib returned to the Test team in the recent series against Lanka and ended as the leading wicket-taker for his team.

He will begin his 3rd stint as skipper when Bangladesh take on the West Indies in a two-match series, starting later this month.