Cricket
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday appointed veteran opener Tamim Iqbal as captain of the Bangladesh ODI team.
Tamim takes over the reigns from ex captain Mashrafe Mortaza whose last leadership responsibility was the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. As the permanent ODI captain, Tamim’s first campaign will be the solitary ODI against Pakistan on April 1.
Tamim has led Bangladesh in the 50-over format before, captaining the team in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in 2019. The opening batsman was also skipper of the side in the Christchurch Test against New Zealand in January 2017.
The BCB wanted to choose a permanent captain this time unlike in the past when Tamim was picked on a series-by-series basis. According to the board’s president Nazmul Hasan, they want Tamim to go on for a long time.
“We have selected Tamim as our captain for a long period of time. There is no guarantee, but he we have selected him for a substantial amount of time. Initially we wanted to select for a short term and then wanted to select someone next year as the full-time captain.
But at the end of the board meeting, we wanted Tamim to lead the side for a long period of time.” said Nazmul Hasan
Alot of backstage drama was being reported in the build up to the announcement of the new captain. The Nazmul revealed that they picked Tamim keeping in mind various factors that included reluctance from certain players to take on the captaincy role.
“It is hard to say [why we have chosen Tamim]. The board decides it. The board decides and some of them are not interested too, to take the responsibility. Basically the board considered everyone and then they decided that Tamim Iqbal will be the captain.” Nazmul added.
Earlier, Mashrafe Mortaza had announced that the 3rd ODI against Zimbabwe will be his last as Bangladesh captain. Mashrafe ended his captaincy on a high as Bangladesh sealed a 3-0 victory. The pacer will however continue to be available as a player, subject to selection, despite his duties as member of the parliament.
“Every player gains form and also goes through a lean patch. But age is a big factor. If he wants to be in the game he [Mashrafee] is most welcome to, but he has to come through the competition.
I am sure he does not feel he is fit but he is very stubborn and he is not someone who will backtrack. I won’t be surprised if he returns back to the national side.” Nazmul said when asked about Mashrafe’s decision