Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan dropped a strong hint on Thursday that Mashrafee bin Murtaza will be appointed as the country’s one-day international captain for the Zimbabwe series next week. Mashrafee is widely tipped to take over the ODI side from Mushfiqur Rahim after the BCB announced the plan for split-captaincy last month in the wake of a string of poor performances.
Nazmul, however, said they are now only thinking about the Zimbabwe series and a decision on making him a permanent captain for the ODI side, especially for the World Cup, will be taken later.
‘Since we decided to split the Test and one-day captaincy we ought to give him some responsibilities,’ Nazmul said of Mashrafee, who has not played a Test since 2009.
‘For now we are not making a permanent choice,’ he said. ‘Mashrafee is our very favourite player, but you know he is injury prone. So we are not making any long-term plan with him.
‘He is now going to the Asian Games and will be also at the helm in Zimbabwe series. We will take a final decision before the World Cup.’
Zimbabwe will arrive in Dhaka next month to play three Tests and five ODIs against the hosts.
The BCB president said Sakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal also will be in their consideration for a permanent ODI captain.
‘We have a few more options, Mashrafee, Tamim and Sakib. The board meeting will make the final decision; we will weigh up all our options,’ he said.
Nazmul said he was impressed about Sakib, who will return to competitive cricket with the Asian Games, after serving a ban imposed on him for what the BCB said ‘an audacious behaviour’.
The BCB reduced his ban after Sakib appealed for a review, facilitating him to return with the Asian Games.
‘So far I am happy with his behavour. But we need to see him in match situation,’ Nazmul said of the talismanic all-rounder.
-With New Age input
