The star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been re-appointed as Bangladesh next Test skipper following Mominul Haque's resignation. Meanwhile, Liton Das has been named as Shakib's deputy.
This is for the third time that Shakib has been named Bangladesh skipper. The all-rounder was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for failing to report corruption charges while paved the path for Mominul as he was named for the leadership role back in 2019. Mominul led his team to three Test triumphs, including the historic victory in New Zealand, two draws, and 12 defeats in 17 games throughout his tenure.
Shakib has previously served as Test captain on two occasions, winning three and eleven games respectively. When Mashrafe Mortaza got injured in the West Indies in 2009, he was named Test captain for the first time. In 2017, he took over as captain, succeeding Mushfiqur Rahim.
Appointed in 2009 Shakib was dismissed from the post in 2011 after a series loss in Zimbabwe, and given the job for a second time in 2017. He held the position until he was banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019 for his failure to report corrupt approaches.
During his previous stints as skipper, Shakib led Bangladesh in 14 matches, with three victories and 11 defeats. The team will leave for the West Indies on June 5.
Bangladesh will also play three Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals during the tour. Batsmen Mahmudullah Riyad and Tamim Iqbal will lead Bangladesh’s T20 and ODI sides respectively.
It is not right for me to continue as captain: Mominul Haque
“I feel it is not right for me to do captaincy at the moment, because what I feel is that if I can concentrate on my batting, it will be good for me as well as for the team. It’s not because of out of any fear or anything like that. Look, when you play well, even if the team does not perform, you can still motivate. I am not doing well and the team is not performing at this point, captaining the side is very difficult,” Haque had said a couple of days ago.
Following a spate of low scores, the experienced cricketer’s form has been questioned. In his last 15 innings, the southpaw has only accumulated 176 runs at an average of 12.57, with only one fifty (88) against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui to his credit. Mominul has scored only 24 runs in his last seven innings, dating back to the April tour of South Africa. Mominul scored 912 runs in 17 Tests as captain, with an average of just over 31.
