In the weeks following their disappointing 2023 World Cup campaign, Bangladesh cricket could undergo an all-around makeover, with Shakib Al Hasan likely to make a decision on his future and a new captain for the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand among the changes. The BCB isn’t accepting Shakib’s announcement, made in an interview prior to the World Cup, that he will step down as ODI captain following the tournament.
“He did not tell us that he was quitting as captain prior to the World Cup. “We thought that [the interview] wasn’t official,” BCB chairman of cricket operations Jalal Yunus stated.
Shakib, who leads Bangladesh in Test cricket as well, broke his finger during batting against Sri Lanka, meaning he will miss the remainder of the World Cup. He will also miss the two home Test matches against New Zealand due to that ailment.
Although the series begins Bangladesh’s World Test Championship cycle for 2023–25, the BCB is eager for a full-strength squad for those Tests and is not inclined to name Litton Das captain. The board actually looks dissatisfied with Litton for taking two breaks during the World Cup.
He had gone back home to Dhaka the day after Bangladesh’s match against Pakistan in Kolkata on October 31, and again on November 6 following the Sri Lanka match in Delhi. Three days later, Litton was back in Pune, the site of Bangladesh’s match against Australia.
Though Litton was granted two pauses during the World Cup on “humanitarian” grounds, ESPNcricinfo has discovered that the prevailing consensus among powerful BCB directors is that he lost concentration during that tournament.
Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz could then be considered for captaincy. In addition, Shanto will fill in as captain for Bangladesh in their World Cup encounter against Australia on November 11 after Shakib was forced to leave the team’s match due to a quad injury.
The BCB and Shakib will shortly talk about his future in both Tests and ODIs. Apart from his remarks on the ODI captaincy, he had even disclosed his retirement plans prior to the World Cup, stating that he would make his announcement “after the 2025 Champions Trophy”.
In the meantime, Tamim Iqbal’s future on the Test side is also unclear. Due to back issues, he was unable to participate in the World Cup. Additionally, he has not participated in any of the four rounds of the National Cricket League, Bangladesh’s main first-class competition.
Therefore, even if the BCB wants to play a full strength squad, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque would be the only experienced hitters against New Zealand if Shakib and Tamim are likely to miss out. The availability of the bowling unit will be mostly determined by their post-World Cup fitness updates.
