Mashrafe Bin Mortaza replaces Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh captain
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza replaces Shakib Al Hasan as captain of the Bangladesh cricket team on the eve of the teams’ departure for the one-day international tour of the United Kingdom; only two days after the squad for the tour had been announced. Shakib, who was the inspirational leader of the Bangladesh team in last month’s Test series against England, was sacked and reinstated as the vice-captain instead.
According to a Bangladesh Cricket Board official, Mortaza had originally been chosen to lead his country against the West Indies, but unfortunately suffered a knee injury due to which he had to be dropped from the squad and replaced with Shakib. Shakib displayed amazing leadership qualities as he led his team to victory in both the one-day and Test series. “Mashrafe was our captain during the West Indies series. But then he suffered injuries. So we are now bringing him back to his former position”, claimed an official statement released by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Controversy surrounds the affair as BCB official claim that Shakib had made the decision to step down on his own, so he could focus more on his cricket. But Khaled Mahmud, who is serving as the assistant coach admitted that the incident puzzled him. He did not think that it was wise to replace the captain only two days before the team was set to leave for the tour of England, Ireland and Scotland.
“I'm not sure if it's the right or wrong move, but it's been a tough time for Shakib, whose recent performances, particularly with the bat, have not been up to standard”, said Mahmud who believes Bangladesh’s loss in a Test series against India and England may have played a part in the selectors decision to replace Shakib. Not winning a single match in the recently concluded Asia Cup and Shakib’s poor form could also be a reason. Shakib, who is younger than the more experienced Mortaza, could be feeling the pressure of leading his country.
Shakib, who was the leading wicket-taker in Bangladesh’s Test campaign against England, is only 23 years old and polls show that he was recently voted as the best all-rounder in international cricket. However, his batting was not up to the mark against both England and in the Asia Cup, which was why the BCB questioned his ability to lead the team in the upcoming tour.
It is not the decision itself which is surprising, because it was understood that Mortaza would replace Shakib when he returned from injury, but the timing of the change especially considering the recent fallout the now captain and vice captain had. In the one-day international series against England in March, Mortaza went wicket less before walking out on the team because of personal reasons. A gesture which was not appreciated by many but voiced by only a few and those few included Shakib.
A fully-fit Mortaza will be a valuable asset for the Bangladesh team on the tour of United Kingdom, who has a staggering 137 one-day international wickets in only 107 appearances. The tour will start with three one-day matches against England, a two match series against Ireland and a match against Scotland and Holland in Glasgow.
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