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Shakib Al Hasan (Source: Twitter)
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Friday, August 11, appointed veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as its new ODI captain. The developments come after regular 50-over captain Tamim Iqbal recently stepped down from the position and pulled out of the 2023 Asia Cup due to injury. Shakib, who has been Bangladesh's Test and T20 captain since early last year, has now become the captain in all three formats of the game.
The spin-bowling all-rounder will lead The Tigers in the Asia Cup starting on August 30, followed by a white-ball series against New Zealand in late September. Shakib will also be assigned a bigger task this year - the ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted in India from October 5 to November 19. While announcing the new captain, the BCB also confirmed that they will announce their squads for the two marquee 50-over tournaments on Saturday, August 12.
“We have appointed Shakib as the captain for the Asia Cup and World Cup. The World Cup and Asia Cup squads will be announced tomorrow. The selectors will pick a squad of 17 members,” said Nazmul Hassan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president.
Since 2009, Shakib has led his national team in 52 ODIs, 19 Tests and 39 T20Is. His last assignment as ODI skipper was against Ireland in Malahide on 12 May 2017, but the match ended without a result. The 36-year-old will be leading Bangladesh in his second ODI World Cup after leading the team at home in the 2011 World Cup.
He was always the main choice: Nazmul Hassan
The BCB president further said that Shakib was always their first preference after Iqbal's resignation. He added that the management will speak to the southpaw about his longevity in the role as he is also the captain of the other two formats.
“There was never any confusion. I told you before. He is the obvious choice. Who else can lead? But we had to talk to him before appointing him. Nobody should think anything else. Shakib is the captain. He was always the main choice,” Hassan said.
"We have to know his long-term plan. I spoke to him on the phone yesterday. But it is better if we talk to him in person since he is busy with a franchise league currently. We will also talk about which format he will keep leading, whether it is all three formats or one or two of them," he added.
Here's how fans reacted to Shakib Al Hasan's appointment as Bangladesh ODI captain:
How many times will he captain??
— Vineet Chawla (@vineetrajouri) August 11, 2023
Looks like Bangladesh short of captaincy material?
Umpires be like pic.twitter.com/k8USbC0SAI
— Khush (@JalsaKaroYaar) August 11, 2023
A commendable decision and a bold move by Bangladesh.
— Sagar Khandelwal (@Khandelw13Sagar) August 11, 2023
His last World Cup probably.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) August 11, 2023
kitna bar captain banta hai aur fir hat jata hain.. greatest player hai bangladesh ka but bht selfish hai.. fir wc ke bad hat jayega dekhna..
— Abhinav singh (@Abhinav_tmk) August 11, 2023
It seems like Bangladesh has entrusted Shakib Al Hasan with a captaincy role for some crucial tournaments. His leadership will definitely be under the spotlight during the Asia Cup and the 2023 World Cup. Let's see how he guides the team in these high-stakes events.
— Shivam Kahar (@ishivamkahar) August 11, 2023
Umpires shivering 🥶🏴☠️
— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) August 11, 2023
Litton Das deserved to be the captain of the Bangladesh team
— Anuj Mishra (@anujmishra003) August 11, 2023
baap of umpires
— AJ 👁️ (iyer fc) (@Zerodopamine7) August 11, 2023
Bhai kitni baar banega kaptan.
— Sports Moment (@SportMoment007) August 11, 2023