Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim is seen completing a practice drill at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday. — Bangladesh cricket is set to turn the page of a crisis-ridden month in Zimbabwe with the appointment of a new captain following the dismissal of Sakib al Hassan from the post in the aftermath of the national team’s dismal showing in Africa. The ill-fated tour of Zimbabwe, which ended in defeats in both the one-off Test and the ODI series, was marred further by a raft of off-field controversies, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board to opt for an overhaul of the team’s leadership with Sakib and his deputy Tamim Iqbal relieved of their duties. As the dusts begin to settle on the team’s miserable exploits of late, the focus has now shifted on rebuilding the team morale ahead of the upcoming home series against the West Indies next month with wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, all-rounder Mahmudullah and batsman Shahriar Nafees emerging as the leading candidates for the post. Although coach Stuart Law claimed the other day that the team have at least six players capable of taking up the job, it is clear now that one of the trio will be entrusted with the responsibility. The country’s cricketing corridors are now reverberating with analyses from all corners as the fans, media, former players and officials weigh up the eligibility of the probable candidates for the post. New Age spoke to three cricketing personalities – former captain Roquibul Hassan, Khaled Mahmud and commentator Athar Ali Khan – and based on their opinions, compiled the strengths and weaknesses of each of the three hopefuls for the captaincy.
Mushfiqur Rahim
Strengths
The biggest strength of Mushfiqur Rahim is his position in the team. He is one of the few players who are certain to be included in both Test and one-day sides, which made him the prime candidate for the captain’s job. His experience is also key to the team. After Mohammad Ashraful and Abdur Razzak, he is the most senior player in the current squad and is a no stranger to the captaincy job. The diminutive wicketkeeper led Bangladesh in the Under-19 World Cup in 2006 and helped them reach the quarter-finals, which has remained the best success for Bangladesh at the junior level. Most of the Bangladeshi players, including dethroned skipper Sakib and his deputy Tamim, played under his captaincy and they should face no problem to adjust with him. He also acted as vice-captain of the side for a year. Known as a hard worker, his vocal presence behind the stumps is also a plus point for the team.
Weaknesses
He tends to get psychologically down when his personal form dips and at that stage he may find it difficult to motivate the side. His assertiveness is not also beyond any question. As an introvert boy, it may be difficult for him to lead a side full of friends. His background as former BKSP player can also stir up a revolt, with a growing difference between the players from the academy and the outsiders.
He has been a part of the leadership group for many days, but his contribution is yet to get any recognition. The Bangladesh Cricket Board removed him from the post of vice-captain after the team management questioned his personal behaviour during the 2010 England tour.
MahmuduallahStrengths
A well educated, thinking cricketer, Mahmuduallah is revered in the team for his strong personality and gentlemanliness. As a player, he has improved a lot over the last few years which has been evident in his body language He commands respect from other players which is the hallmark of a good captain. Though his resolve as a captain is yet to be tested at the highest level, the all-rounder has at least shown good potential when he led Abahani Limited to Dhaka Premier League championship last season and was one of their best performers. His tendency to stay away from controversy and his respectful attitude towards people around him would also make him a good pick for the role.
Weaknesses
The biggest problem for Mahmudullah is that he is not an automatic choice in the Test side. While his place in the one-day side is more or less assured, the team have on occasions had to compromise its balance to accommodate him in the Test side and this may work against his candidacy. Another thing is his relative lack of experience as a leader which leaves a great deal of uncertainty surrounding his decision-making abilities at crunch time. The responsibility of a captain includes extracting the best out of a player but doubts persist about his credentials in this regard. He also tends to get into a shell when his own performances take a dip, which is a noticeable flaw in his temperament.
A well educated, thinking cricketer, Mahmuduallah is revered in the team for his strong personality and gentlemanliness. As a player, he has improved a lot over the last few years which has been evident in his body language He commands respect from other players which is the hallmark of a good captain. Though his resolve as a captain is yet to be tested at the highest level, the all-rounder has at least shown good potential when he led Abahani Limited to Dhaka Premier League championship last season and was one of their best performers. His tendency to stay away from controversy and his respectful attitude towards people around him would also make him a good pick for the role.
Weaknesses
The biggest problem for Mahmudullah is that he is not an automatic choice in the Test side. While his place in the one-day side is more or less assured, the team have on occasions had to compromise its balance to accommodate him in the Test side and this may work against his candidacy. Another thing is his relative lack of experience as a leader which leaves a great deal of uncertainty surrounding his decision-making abilities at crunch time. The responsibility of a captain includes extracting the best out of a player but doubts persist about his credentials in this regard. He also tends to get into a shell when his own performances take a dip, which is a noticeable flaw in his temperament.
Strengths
Among the three candidates, Shahriar Nafees has the slimmest chance of claiming the captaincy. It his experience in international cricket that has brought him into contention, make him the most viable selection for the job should the Bangladesh Cricket Board opt for anyone other than Mushfique and Mahmudullah. Shahriar, a former vice-captain of the national team, who holds the distinction of leading Bangladesh in their first Twenty20 International, was once considered as the automatic successor of Habibul Bashar, Bangladesh’s most successful captain to date. The chance however slipped from his grasp after a string of woeful performances in World Cup 2007 with the left-hander subsequently going through a series of ups and downs. After s brief stint with the renegade Indian Cricket League, he recently re-established himself in the side which is a testament to his character. Once a proven performer, Shahriar also seems to have learnt a lot from the incidents in his life which have contrived to make him stronger as a person.
Weaknesses
Like Mamudullah, Shahriar is also not an automatic choice in the side. His fitness is also not beyond the realms of doubt while many are sceptical about his commitment to the national team’s cause as a number of statements he made during his ICL stint still burn fresh in the memory of many
cricket personalities. Also working against Shahriar is the fact that he is one of the two cricketers accused of disobeying coach Stuart Law and is now facing a disciplinary action.
Among the three candidates, Shahriar Nafees has the slimmest chance of claiming the captaincy. It his experience in international cricket that has brought him into contention, make him the most viable selection for the job should the Bangladesh Cricket Board opt for anyone other than Mushfique and Mahmudullah. Shahriar, a former vice-captain of the national team, who holds the distinction of leading Bangladesh in their first Twenty20 International, was once considered as the automatic successor of Habibul Bashar, Bangladesh’s most successful captain to date. The chance however slipped from his grasp after a string of woeful performances in World Cup 2007 with the left-hander subsequently going through a series of ups and downs. After s brief stint with the renegade Indian Cricket League, he recently re-established himself in the side which is a testament to his character. Once a proven performer, Shahriar also seems to have learnt a lot from the incidents in his life which have contrived to make him stronger as a person.
Weaknesses
Like Mamudullah, Shahriar is also not an automatic choice in the side. His fitness is also not beyond the realms of doubt while many are sceptical about his commitment to the national team’s cause as a number of statements he made during his ICL stint still burn fresh in the memory of many
cricket personalities. Also working against Shahriar is the fact that he is one of the two cricketers accused of disobeying coach Stuart Law and is now facing a disciplinary action.
Courtesy: New Age
4 comments:
want to see alok kapali as our captain
May be Shariar Nafees is better of other.
Definitely mahmudullah riad
i think musfiq is perfect for this job
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