Tigers will likely get a new ODI captain after the Zimbabwe series, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan said Wednesday, hinting that this will be Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s last outing as skipper.
“We’re thinking about appointing a new captain for the ODI team who can lead Tigers in the next World Cup,” Nazmul told the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, reports UNB.
He said a captain cannot be appointed right before the World Cup, adding that it has to be done at least two years before the tournament.
Nazmul said the BCB is scheduled to have a board meeting next month. “You’ll learn (who is the next captain) after the meeting. Now we’re waiting for this series,” he said.
He acknowledged that Bangladesh does not have an alternative option to replace Mashrafe as captain. “What he has done for Bangladesh cricket is significant. But I think the time has come for him to decide about how long he wants to play,” Nazmul said.
He claimed that Mashrafe had told him he would retire after the World Cup in a T20I game at home but later changed his mind and according to media reports he does not want BCB to make any arrangement for his retirement day.
“But we have to make a decision. We’ll decide within one or two months who’ll lead Bangladesh in the next World Cup. You will come to know later whether Mashrafe is there or not,” the BCB boss said.
Nazmul said that after appointing a new captain Mashrafe will still be available to play if he can fulfill the criteria to be selected for the national team.
“[But] the board cannot guarantee Mashrafe’s place in the national team,” the BCB president said.
Bangladesh will play their next ODI series against Zimbabwe starting from March 1 at Sylhet International Stadium. The remaining two matches of the three-match series are scheduled for March 3 and 6.