Dhaka: Bangladesh’s cricket landscape witnessed a strategic shift as all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was reinstated as the ODI captain, a role he has assumed before, to lead the national team in both the forthcoming Asian Cup and the highly anticipated World Cup 2023.
Shakib’s ascension to captaincy follows the resignation of Tamim Iqbal on August 3, a decision prompted by his sidelining from the Asian Cup due to a back injury. Stepping into this pivotal role, Shakib takes the reins at a crucial juncture for Bangladesh, with the Asia Cup closely followed by a home ODI series against New Zealand in September, preceding the commencement of the ODI World Cup on October 5, set to unfold in India. The announcement was made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan during a press conference held at his residence in Dhaka.
Shakib Al Hasan currently holds the position of captain across all three formats, marking his third stint as Test and T20I captain, which commenced last year. As a seasoned player, Shakib has previously led Bangladesh in 19 Test matches and 39 T20Is. In addition, he led the team in 49 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) between 2009 and 2011, clinching victory in 22 of those encounters.
This strategic shift in leadership comes in the wake of Tamim’s withdrawal from the ODI captaincy, driven by concerns regarding his physical condition as he recuperates from a back ailment. While his absence during the Asia Cup, slated to commence on August 30, is confirmed, Tamim aims to regain full fitness for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on September 21, and the subsequent ODI World Cup.
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