Shakib Al Hasan. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will lead the national team in the forthcoming Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. Notably, the selection committee will select a 17-member squad for both the 50-over events on Saturday, August 12.
Nazmul Hassan, BCB President confirmed the news of Shakib leading the setup for both the events and added that the squads will be announced on August 12.
“We have appointed Shakib as the captain for Asia Cup and World Cup. The World Cup and Asia Cup squad will be announced tomorrow. The selectors will pick a squad of 17 members,” Nazmul told reporters at his house on August 11.
Earlier, the apex board held an emergency meeting to finalise on a name for both ODI events as Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz were the other two candidates. This came after the ODI captaincy spot remained vacant after Tamim Iqbal resigned on August 3 following his withdrawal from the ACC event owing to a back injury.
It is worth mentioning that Tamim, who announced a shocking retirement last month, reversed his decision after a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Tamim hopes to be fit in time for the big-ticket ICC event which is slated to be played in India during October as he is recuperating from his injury.
Meanwhile, Shakib, who is currently the skipper of the Test and T20I side, has led the Bangla Tigers in the One-Day format, including the 2011 ODI World Cup. Speaking about their Asia Cup campaign, Bangladesh are placed along with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in Group B.
Shakib-led Bangladesh will play their first match against co-hosts Sri Lanka on Thursday, August 31 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The side will go head-to-head against Afghanistan in their first match in the ODI World Cup at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala on October 7.