Asia Cup 2022: Shakib Al Hasan Is Right Candidate To Lead Bangladesh - Shane Watson

Shakib Al Hasan is the perfect person to lead the Bangladesh team at the moment opined former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson. This came after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022.

Watson feels the veteran’s experience and hunger for success bodes well for Bangladesh’s hopes in the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. Bangladesh has appointed Shakib as their captain for the Asia Cup, and he’s set to stay at the helm till the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. He is also expected to lead the team in the shortest format for a long term.

Bangladesh is coming off an embarrassing ODI and T20I series loss to Zimbabwe where the Tigers lost by a margin of 2-1 respectively.

When asked in the ICC Review whether the all-rounder was the right choice, Watson said that Shakib’s experience as captain would benefit the team.

He said: “Absolutely! To have a leader of Shakib’s quality, I think it’s going to re-energise them. He’s so experienced. He has captained Bangladesh a lot of times. He has captained in a lot of franchise tournaments as well, especially in the Bangladesh Premier League. His decision-making for his teammates under pressure is going to be invaluable.”

Shakib has previously captained Bangladesh in 21 T20Is, winning seven of them.

Shakib Al Hasan Has Got A Point To Prove As Well: Shane Watson

Shakib Al Hasan had missed the Zimbabwe tour asking for rest and was given one. He recently came under fire for endorsing a betting website and was given an ultimatum by the BCB to leave the endorsement or he will not be playing for Tigers again. Shakib responded by ending his association with the said party.

Watson also felt that Shakib will be hungry to perform at the multi-nation which begins in UAE on August 27.

Watson said: “He’s got a point to prove as well. And when there is a world-class cricketer with a point to prove and some fire in his belly, they normally dominate. I’d be very surprised from a performance point of view if he doesn’t dominate this T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup.

For him to be able to play across all formats, it’s very special and with the amount of cricket that’s on nowadays, franchise cricket as well, it is going to be very rare to see anyone play all three formats and as successfully as Shakib has,” said Shane Watson. “To be able to average well over 30, mid-late 30s in all three formats, with the bat and under 30 with the ball across 15 years is really special.”

Bangladesh will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Sharjah on August 30.

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