Manav Singh, Pune
Bangladesh’s seasoned all-rounder with left-arm spin Shakib Al Hasan has been confirmed as Bangladesh’s new captain ahead of the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and Asia Cup. Tamim Iqbal, who resigned from the position earlier this month after being unable to compete in the Asia Cup owing to a back injury, is replacing him. Initially planning to retire from international cricket on July 6, the player changed his mind after meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The president of the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) said in a statement “Shakib was the obvious choice to captain Bangladesh when the position fell vacant. I am very confident that his exemplary performance, experience, and leadership qualities will galvanise the team as we head into two massive events like the Asia Cup and the World Cup.” After being named captain of the Test and T20I teams last year, Shakib now leads Bangladesh in all three formats.
Shakib previously captained Bangladesh in the 2011 ODI World Cup and was the team’s captain in 52 ODIs between 2009 and 2017. Under his leadership, Bangladesh won 23 ODIs while losing 26 of them. The selection of Shakib comes at a crucial time for Bangladesh as they prepare for months of important ODI cricket action. In addition to the ODI series against New Zealand at home beginning on September 21, they will compete in the Asia Cup, which begins on August 30 and runs through September 17.
It will be followed by the much-anticipated One-Day International World Cup, which will be held in India from October 5 to November 17. Bangladesh will begin its 2023 ODI World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on October 7 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, followed by a match against defending champions England on October 10 at the same ground.