Reports: Shakib Al Hasan wishes to step down as Bangladesh captain ahead of World Cup 2023

Shakib Al Hasan (Photo Source: Twitter)

It seems that Bangladesh will be suffering a huge blow as their talismanic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, reportedly wants to relinquish the captaincy of the ODI team after taking the responsibility just over a month ago.

Shakib Al Hasan was reinstated as captain of the ODI side by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 and is also scheduled to lead the ‘Bangla Tigers’ in the 50-over World Cup, which takes place in India in October-November.

A BCB source told The Daily Star that Shakib has informed the nation’s cricket governing body that he doesn’t intend to lead the side at the marquee event. The 36-year-old met BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon at his residence at midnight alongside Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha and made his situation known. As per BCB sources, Shakib doesn’t want half-fit players in his team and that is one of the reasons behind him not wanting to captain Bangladesh.

Tamim Iqbal has been struggling with a back injury but has been named in Bangladesh’s 15-member squad for the World Cup. Fans are joining the dots and rumours are getting stronger by the minute regarding a possible cold war between two of Bangladesh’s finest cricketers. This is not the first time tension has surfaced between them.

Bangladesh had a topsy-turvy Asia Cup 2023 campaign

Shakib-led Bangladesh blew hot and cold during the recently concluded edition of the Asia Cup. They lost two matches against Sri Lanka and one against Pakistan. They comprehensively defeated Afghanistan and won a humdinger of a contest against India to end their campaign in third place on the points table in the Super Four stage of the competition.

They are currently playing a three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home. After two matches, the series is poised at 1-0 in favour of the Blackcaps, with the last game set to be played in Mirpur on Tuesday, September 26.