Dhaka, Dec. 10 (TNS): Allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has been named Bangladesh’s Test captain, replacing Mushfiqur Rahim. His first assignment will be the series at home against Sri Lanka. Middle order batsman Mahmudullah will be Shakib’s deputy.
Mushfiqur had been Bangladesh’s captain in the longest format since September 2011, but after the team’s disastrous tour of South Africa, he has been replaced by Shakib. Mushfiqur captained Bangladesh in 34 Tests, starting against West Indies in Chittagong. He led Bangladesh to seven Test wins and nine draws while losing 18 Tests. He oversaw his side’s historic triumphs against England and Australia recently.
This will be Shakib’s second stint as captain of the Test team, having been replaced by Mushfiqur in 2011. His first stint, from July 2009 to August 2011, saw him lead the team in nine Tests, with one win and eight losses.
“We have decided to change the Test captain. Shakib Al Hasan will be our new Test skipper from the upcoming series and Mahmudullah will be the vice-captain of the side. There will be no changes in the other formats,” Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Nazmul Hasan said.
Basically, we think that there should be a change here. We want best batting service from Mushfiqur. We want to give him some time to relax and moreover he should concentrate on his batting. Overall, we are willing to make a plan for next four to five years and the decision is just the beginning of the new plan. There will be some changes also in other fields as well. But till now, this is the only change which has been made today,” he added.
The BCB is yet to name a replacement for former coach Chandika Hathurasingha. Cricbuzz understands that either Khaled Mahmud or Richard Halsall will act as the interim coach if BCB fails to appoint the head coach in time for the SL series.
BCB also confirmed that Tamim Iqbal, who was replaced as vice-captain of the Test team by Mahmudullah, will continue as vice-captain of the T20I team.
