Shakib (standing) will lead the Tigers against New Zealand today after Mashrafe was rested.
By the time this newspaper reaches the readers Shakib Al Hasan has most probably tossed the coin for Bangladesh in their last Pool A match against New Zealand at Seddon Park as the team management finally decided to give regular skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza a breather so that the inspirational leader can go into the quarterfinal fresh.
Shakib, the 27-year-old ace all-rounder who is well known for his on-field aggression, will lead the team after three and a half years after he was sacked as Bangladesh captain following the team’s dismal performances in Zimbabwe in September 2011.
How does it feel to lead the team again? And, as usual, Shakib responded with his curious smile. Though he did not say anything about whether he was excited to lead the team again, but his eagerness to do so could well be read when he opened his smart phone to show Friday’s weather forecast and deny one of the teammate’s claim that there would be rain on the day. He even tossed a coin for fun.
Interestingly, Shakib was given the captaincy during the Tigers’ tour of West Indies in 2009 after skipper Mashrafe was sidelined with injury. He continued until July 2010 as Mashrafe’s injury problems prolonged. The left-hander then stepped down to focus on his personal performance.
Mashrafe returned but broke down again during the first ODI against New Zealand in October 2010 at home with Shakib once again taking over and initiated the first “Banglawash” over the Kiwis. So, it would be fantastic for the team if he could continue with the trend against the Kiwis under his leadership.
The almost carbon copy scenario made everybody curious whether the destiny has brought Shakib back to create another history for Bangladesh, who however won the last series 4-0 without the superstar all-rounder — he was serving out a suspension — at home, cricket as they have never won a match against New Zealand at their home.
So understandably, Shakib will be praying for the rain to keep away on Friday.
Shakib may lead a different team as Nasir Hossain was in contention to replace Mashrafe and there were discussions, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam may finally get a match by replacing Arafat Sunny if the weather doesn’t force the management to go in with three pacers by including Shafiul Islam in place of a left-arm spinner.
It was however hard to understand from the faces of the players who were going to play and who were not as everybody except Mashrafe was in happy mood and enjoyed Thursday’s rain, that started falling from early morning, in this calm and quite city after a practice session at the Seddon Park.
It was unusual to see Mashrafe in a gloomy mood as like yesterday’s weather. “You know I love to play but for the greater interest I have to accept it,” said a dejected Mashrafe.
But it’s not today’s match for what Mashrafe can take risk. Today’s result will not make much of a difference as the Tigers have already fulfilled their first dream of reaching the quarterfinals. What is more important for the captain is that he is under the threat of a one-match suspension following the first warning for slow over-rates after the game against England on Monday.
For New Zealand it’s not only their mission to remain unbeaten but also to take a revenge of their last two series whitewashes. And though the Tigers also know that the high-flying Kiwis will go for the kill, they are ready to bring them down on earth.
Source: The Daily Star