Shakib missed the two-match Test series at home against New Zealand and was also not part of the recently concluded white-ball series against New Zealand in their own backyard due to the finger injury he sustained in the last World Cup. ICC in India.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board had appointed Najmul Hasan as interim captain, and he managed to lead the team so well during this phase that national coach Chandika Hathurusingha supported him as captain long-term after the New Zealand tour, reports Live Cricket Score.
Under Najmul’s captaincy, Bangladesh recorded their first ODI and T20I wins against New Zealand. Before joining this white-ball tour, Shanto also showed his prowess as a Test captain when his team defeated New Zealand in Sylhet.
Shakib has been away from cricket for some time due to a finger injury and campaign commitments but is now focusing on cricket again ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League. The all-rounder took part in training sessions with his new franchise, Rangpur Riders, at the Bashundhara Sports Complex on Tuesday, a day after he began preparation at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium to remove rust from his batting.
With Shakib’s long-term availability in doubt, given his recent identity as a political leader, whether he will lead the team in the coming days remains a big unknown. Shakib insisted that he would sort things out soon after speaking to the board.
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