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.”
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.