Rahim loses ODI captaincy

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has retained the Test captaincy, while fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza has been named the new ODI captain ahead of Bangladesh’s series against Zimbabwe.

Mortaza had captained the limited-overs unit on nine previous occasions prior to Tuesday’s full-time appointment. Predecessor Rahim had not won an ODI series since November 2013’s success over New Zealand.

“Rahim is our best batsman at the moment. At the same time he also needs to lead the team and do the wicketkeeping job. This is a tremendous pressure for him,” said Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan

“So we relieved him of some of his duties. Mashrafe will now lead the ODI side and Rahim will continue as the Test captain. You all know Mashrafe is an injury-prone player, so we cannot set a long-term plan with him. If he stays fit we will think about giving him captaincy for the World Cup in 2015.”

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, meanwhile, have been appointed vice-captains of the ODI and Test teams respectively.

The Bangladeshis and Zimbabweans will meet for three Tests and five ODIs – at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna and Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong – between 25 October and 1 December.

“It doesn’t depend on me, I have said it before. It is hard to leave the captaincy when the team is going through a bad patch. The challenge is to return to the good days, and I hope I can do that before leaving the position,” said Rahim earlier this month.

“It is not my decision, but it is for those who have appointed me. Whatever is good for the team, I will agree to it. There is always pressure on a player, regardless of captaincy. It is the board’s decision. If they think it [changing the captain] is good, then definitely.”

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