Experienced left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak has emerged as a surprise contender for the captaincy job of the Bangladesh national cricket team, the Bangladesh Cricket Board officials confirmed on Saturday.
Until now the race for captaincy was limited to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and all-rounder Mahmudullah, with top-order batsman Shahriar Nafees distinctly third, but chief selector Akram Khan on Saturday confirmed they also want to give a look at Razzak.
As part of their plan Razzak was made captain of the national team for today’s BCB Cup match against GP-BCB Academy, replacing Mushfique, the frontrunner to replace Sakib al Hasan, sacked ignominiously in the wake of Bangladesh’s catastrophic Zimbabwe tour.
‘He is an experienced player and we want to see how well he can deliver as a captain,’ Akram told New Age.
‘We appointed him vice-captain of the Bangladesh team for this tournament with this in mind that is the reason we asked him to lead the side in tomorrow’s [Sunday] match,’ said Akram.
The chief selector, however, added that they do not have any special instruction from the Board to look at certain players and all that they are doing is because they want to look at other options.
The BCB is likely to appoint the new captain in their next board meeting on Monday.
The selection of Razzak for captaincy in the BCB Cup, albeit for only one game, however, is a clear indication that his name will be seriously discussed alongside other contenders when the BCB officials will resume their adjourned meeting,
Razzak, who is second to Mohammad Ashraful in terms of experience in Bangladesh squad after making his debut in the 2004 Asia Cup, said he is also surprised to have been asked to lead the Tigers in Sunday’s game, though he is thrilled at the prospect.
‘Though it came as a surprise but I am relishing the prospect of leading the team,’ Razzak told New Age.
‘I will try to give my hundred percent both as a player and a skipper and hope to pass on my experience to the rest of my team-mates,’ said the veteran of 124 one-day internationals.
When asked whether he is eyeing to lead the national team, the former BKSP boy said he is ready to fulfil any role that the cricket authorities ask him.
‘It’s too early to say anything regarding leading the national side,’ said Razzak.
‘The only thing that I can say is that I am ready to take any responsibility that the team management asks me to shoulder,’ said Razzak.
‘I am not a person who will shy away from taking up challenges,’ he added.
Officials said should Razzak get the Tigers job Bangladesh may head to an era of separate captains for one-day and Test cricket as his selection for the longer-version game is not all that guaranteed.
-With New Age input
