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In a dramatic turn of events, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled the successor to Tamim Iqbal as the captain for the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup 2023. It is worth mentioning that Tamim had recently reversed his decision to retire from international cricket but stepped down as the ODI captain of the team after a long-standing tenure.
BCB entrusts Shakib Al Hasan for the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup 2023:
With not much time left for the Aisa Cup and ODI World Cup 2023, BCB decided to appoint a new skipper for the team and trusted the country’s experienced campaigner Shakib Al Hasan with the leadership role in the ODI format.
The announcement was made by BCB President Nazmul Hassan in a media briefing held at his residence in Dhaka. Hassan expressed confidence in Shakib’s abilities and leadership qualities, citing his previous experiences as the team captain in various formats.
“Shakib Al Hasan is the captain for the Asia Cup, New Zealand series and World Cup. We will speak more to him when he returns to Bangladesh [from Lanka Premier League]. We have to know his long-term plan,” said Hassan.
“There was never any confusion. I told you before. He is the obvious choice. Who else can lead? But we had to talk to him before appointing him. Nobody should think anything else. Shakib is the captain. He was always the main choice,” he added.
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Shakib’s previous stints as Bangladesh skipper
Already serving as the captain for the Bangladesh cricket team in Test matches and T20 Internationals, this reinstatement makes Shakib Bangladesh’s skipper in all three formats. It is to be noted that Shakib has the overall experience of leading the Bangladesh team in 19 Test matches, 39 T20Is and 52 ODIs. The star all-rounder previously has also led the nation in ODIs between 2009 to 2011 and then between 2015 to 2017.
Tamim to not feature in the Asia Cup squad of Bangladesh:
The changing of the guard at the helm comes in the wake of Tamim’s unexpected resignation as the ODI captain. Tamim had initially announced his retirement from international cricket on July 6, only to reverse his decision the following day following an appeal from Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. However, the uncertainty surrounding his fitness due to a back injury has kept him out of the team’s scheme for Asia Cup that commences on August 30.
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