DHAKA, March 8, 2020 (BSS)-Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appointed
Tamim Iqbal as the ODI captain on Sunday, ending the speculations hovering
over the country’s cricket fraternity.
The BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon declared the outcome after a four-
hour long ‘Board of Directors’ meeting at the board’s headquarter at Sher-e-
Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
He said the opener was given the captaincy for ‘long term’ after the
board scrutinized all other options.
“The board has decided to appoint Tamim Iqbal as the new captain of
Bangladesh’s ODI format,” Papon said here on Sunday.
“He was not given the captaincy for any specific time. He was in fact
given the role for long term.”
The issue was the center of attraction since the board president said
they would appoint a new captain for ODI format, eying to build a team for
the 2023 World Cup.
The issue further gained the momentum when Mashrafe Bin Mortaza
announced his decision to step down from the captaincy, stating he would play
just as general player in the team. Mashrafe however emphasized on giving
someone captaincy for long term so that he gets enough time to build the
team.
Tamim Iqbal led the side in three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, shortly
after the World Cup due to the injury of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. Bangladesh was
whitewashed in that series, prompting the critics to question Tamim’s ability
as the captain.
Before that he led the side on and off in Test and ODI format also. He
was also one of the policy makers of the team for a long time. But this is
the first time he was given captaincy role permanently.
The BCB chief however didn’t explain any specific reason as to why they
appointed Tamim as the ODI captain when there are some other senior players
available to lead the side.
“At first we thought we would appoint someone captain for short term and
we’ll change it after one year. But later we changed the decision and
thought, whoever gets is should get it for long time,” he said.
“Yes there was some other candidates. Some didn’t want to take it or not
interested. Board considered all of the options and decided that Tamim Iqbal
will be captain.”