Mahmudullah To Lead Bangladesh In Zimbabwe Tests

In absence of regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah will lead Bangladesh in the upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe.  Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan Papon confirmed the news on Tuesday.

Shakib Al Hasan is currently sidelined with a finger injury.  He had sustained the injury on his hand during the tri-series final, involving Zimbabwe, against Sri Lanka in January this year.

He had to leave the field mid-way, and could not take any further part in the final. The 31-year old also missed the following two-match Test series and two T20Is against Sri Lanka. Shakib joined the squad halfway through the Nidahas Trophy in March.

He also played against Afghanistan and West Indies but later stated that he might miss the Asia Cup to undergo operation. Not surprisingly, his comments to skip the important tournament drew widespread reaction.

However, he aggravated the injury during the final of the recently-concluded Asia Cup and missed the final of the tournament. He recently underwent surgery and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. As a result, he will miss the home series against Zimbabwe.

And in his absence. Mahmudullah has been given the responsibility to lead the side. BCB boss  Nazmul Hasan Papon revealed that Mushfiqur Rahman was also in contention but considering that the role was a temporary one, the officials voted for Mahmudullah.

“There were two options — Mushfiqur [Rahim] and [Mahmudullah] Riyad. Mushfiqur wouldn’t have been a bad choice. They (the cricket operations committee) came to me with Mushfiqur’s name but what I told them was: ‘If you make Mushfiq captain, then you have to keep him as captain’,” he told The Daily Star.

“‘You will hand Mushfiqur captaincy for the Zimbabwe series and then if Shakib comes back for the West Indies series and says that he will play then what would happen? Will I tell Mushfiqur to give up captaincy again? That would have been an insult [to Mushfiqur] and I did not want to let that happen.

“Tell me to give Mushfiqur captaincy and I will say that in the board meeting. That is a different issue and if I am convinced then I will agree. But you will bring him and then relieve him of that duty” that can’t be done with Mushfiqur,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will host Zimbabwe for three ODIs and two Tests. The ODI series will start from October 21 while the first Test will be played on November 3.