Team director backs Shakib to lead Bangladesh in Tests

Khaled Mahmud, Bangladesh team director, has backed Shakib Al Hasan to lead the Test squad brushing aside all kinds of doubts regarding his love for the longer-format of the game. Shakib is the front runner in the race for the next Test captain after the post went vacant as Mominul Haque decided to step down following his lean patch with the bat in order to concentrate on his game. Mahmud also cleared the air about Shakib's intention as far as playing Test cricket is concerned claiming that he is enjoying playing the longer-format and wants to continue with it. The announcement came on Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium hours after Cricbuzz reported that BCB president Nazmul Hasan is skeptical about re-appointing Shakib considering they are not sure about his availability. Since Shakib revealed that he was unsure of continuing to play all three formats, his Test future has come under scrutiny and it was learnt that that the ace all-rounder hinted to some BCB high-ups that he is keen on picking and choosing long-format assignments. However, it's been learnt now that he has changed his mind recently and wants to play across formats after agreeing to make him available following a meeting with the board. The BCB managed to change his mind and send him to South Africa after he had initially declined to tour. Since the South African tour in 2017-18, Shakib has featured in only 10 of the 31 Tests Bangladesh have played. He missed the last South Africa series citing personal reasons. Last year he missed the series against Sri Lanka due to IPL commitments and most recently sat out of the tour of New Zealand. Though Shakib travelled to South Africa, he did not play the Test series due to family emergency as he returned home after playing the three-match ODI series and only make a comeback in Test cricket with the just concluded series against Sri Lanka. ''I don't know why everyone says that he is not interested in playing Test cricket because whenever we talk he is very keen to play Tests,'' Mahmud told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday. ''He always say that he enjoys Test cricket more than any format and if he wants to play and want to give something I think it might bring some changes,'' he said adding that he proved his love for the longer format game during the home series against Sri Lanka, where he joined the team at the last minute after getting corona clearance. ''I think he proved it( his love for Test cricket) during the series against Sri Lanka as I don't remember when was the last time he bowled for so many overs. We were apprehensive that Shakib might not bowl for many overs but he proved himself. There were lots of talks regarding his fitness but I feel with the ball he is always great and though he could not do anything big with the bat, I feel if he gets the responsibility he will be keen to perform. He wants to play cricket for another two to three years and he should take the team upward,'' he said. Mahmud said that the new Test captain should be given the responsibility for at least two years and if Shakib decides to take up the job it will certainly help the team. ''I think whoever decides to lead he should be given (captaincy) for two years because giving time to the captain is very important. I think naturally it (if Shakib takes over for two years as Test captain) will help us to develop in Tests. Certainly injury and fitness does matter but Shakib is a very experienced cricketer. I think he enjoys Test matches,'' he said. ''He is very knowledgeable and even yesterday we spoke about different things regarding the upcoming Test series against West Indies. If he gets the captaincy it will be very helpful for the team." Mahmud said it would be too early for Litton Das to take over the captaincy while adding that Mominul's decision should be respected. "I think it's too early for him (Litton) as he is a very introvert kind of a guy. I would prefer an extrovert kind of a guy. Naturally you want performance in the field but at the same time you have to manage the dressing room and develop the team culture and in this area captain have a big role,'' said Mahmud. ''I think we should respect Mominul's decision as he wanted to get released from pressure. We hope we will find the old Mominul in the West Indies series,'' he said. BCB will take a decision on Test captain along with many other things in the board meeting on Wednesday.