As Bangladesh’s cricket landscape undergoes a period of uncertainty, the nation’s cricket board finds itself at a crossroads regarding the appointment of the new full-time ODI captain. Following Tamim Iqbal’s decision to step aside from the role on August 3, speculation swirls around the potential successors, with all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das emerging as prominent contenders.
Bangladesh to announce new ODI captain soon
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is striving to convince the seasoned Shakib to lead the side, a role he has previously held in 50-over cricket, including the 2011 World Cup. However, murmurs from within the team hint that Shakib might not be enthusiastic about captaining in the upcoming Asia Cup. Instead, he is reportedly keen to observe how Litton Das, Tamim’s original deputy, handles the pressures of a multi-team tournament.
With neither stance officially confirmed by the team management, Bangladesh’s cricket scene remains in a state of anticipation. The Asian Cricket Council has set a deadline of August 12 for the announcement of squads for the forthcoming Asia Cup, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30. The clock is ticking as cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the verdict on the next ODI skipper.
Bangladesh’s head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, who recently arrived in Dhaka, held a crucial meeting with the selection panel to discuss the captaincy issue. The selectors also engaged with BCB president Nazmul Hasan to gain approval for the team likely to be unveiled soon. Amidst this backdrop, the cricket fraternity awaits clarity on the leadership front.
Das will accept the captaincy role, if given
Litton Das, who led Bangladesh in ODIs against India at home and in the recent one-day series against Afghanistan, expressed his willingness to step into the captaincy role. During a private event in Dhaka, he stated, “This (captaincy) is a matter of the Cricket Board. You will know about it (captaincy) in one or two days. Rather than me talking about it, if you get it from the board, it will be better.”
As anticipation builds, Bangladesh is on the cusp of learning who will take on the responsibility of leading the ODI squad. Das, recognizing his role as a board employee, refrained from making any conclusive statements but vowed to give his best if presented with the opportunity to captain the side.
“I don’t think it will be wise for me to speak about it from any point because I am the employee of the board and also get paid by them. Just wait for a while because within one or two days you will have a clear picture. Because I am playing for a long time, if the team wants something good from me, I also try to give something good to the country. I will try to give my hundred percent (if selected as the captain) which I always do,” Das affirmed.
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