Mahmudullah captaincy brings the Shakib question

Bangladesh's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe for three T20Is and as many ODIs was expected to be a humdrum affair, but the importance of the series changed due to Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) insistence that the team to go in a different direction in terms of performance and approach in the shortest format.

"It is high time for a change," a BCB source, wishing to be anonymous, told The Daily Star yesterday when asked about the leadership of the T20I side and the direction the board wanted to take. The impetus to change is not only coming from one or two of the BCB higher-ups, but some of the key decision-makers in the board.

It was learned that Mahmudullah Riyad is set to be rested for the tour as the BCB feels the need for change to the side that played in the West Indies. The Tigers lost the T20I series 2-0 in the Caribbean and the approach of the team did not gather any momentum following the T20 World Cup debacle in the UAE under Riyad's leadership.

Although BCB president Nazmul Hassan said that he would hold talks with Riyad after the team's return from the West Indies, sources close to the board are of the understanding that a change in captaincy in the T20 format is just a formality. The precedent was set after Mominul Haque stepped down from Test captaincy owing to a run of poor performances with the bat.

Riyad's form has also been under scrutiny as he has yet to have a major contribution with the bat since the World Cup in UAE.

"It's not just that he has not scored runs. The manner in which he is applying himself with the bat is also impacting the team and is a major cause for concern," a BCB director told The Daily Star yesterday on condition of anonymity.

Riyad's absence in the T20I series in Zimbabwe is being disguised as rest out of respect towards the veteran player, but with the T20 World Cup on the horizon, who are the BCB looking at?

It was learned that all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan had been earmarked to take on captaincy. But as Shakib was slated to be rested for the Zimbabwe series, the BCB are now pondering whether the left-hander should be on the Zimbabwe tour to get his ideas across sooner rather than later.

Why Shakib? While the BCB passively admit that carrying on with Riyad might have been a mistake, why do they feel Shakib can make a difference?

"Only Shakib [among the seniors] has the tendency to make sure that youngsters keep growing and take on meaningful roles in the side," a source close to BCB decision-makers said.

It was learned that Nurul Hasan Sohan could be handed captaincy on an interim basis if Shakib remains unavailable for the Zimbabwe tour. In case Shakib is included, Sohan may get the nod as vice-captain of the T20I outfit.

BCB are also looking at all the upcoming major events with an eye on Shakib leading the side. Team director Khaled Mahmud said just a day prior to Shakib being handed Test captaincy this year that "if Shakib asked, he could lead in all three formats". There is much time before the ODI World Cup in India in 2023, but for now it appears that all roads may lead to Shakib.