After Nazmul Hossain Shanta wanted to leave the captaincy, the discussion basically started. The issue was supposed to be addressed after the South Africa series but was not. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the team keeping him as the captain for the upcoming West Indies series as well.
If there is no calm leadership, who will be the captain? All-rounder Mehdi Hasan Miraj was the foremost in such discussions. Mirage made his captaincy debut in the third ODI of the series against Afghanistan due to Shanto’s injury. The burden of leadership may come on his shoulders in the Test series in West Indies as well.
Former selector Habibul Bashar Suman wants to see the leadership of Shanto-Miraj? Bashar faced such questions when he met the media in Mirpur on Tuesday (November 12). According to him Miraj has the potential, Shanta is also doing well. But he does not want to go into the debate about who will be the captain.
‘Shant-Miraj is not the right idea for us to go. Whoever does the captaincy should be trusted. If we start a debate, it is not good for us.’
“Miraj is a very good captain, if he is given he will do well, Shant is doing very well, I think this discussion is not good for us, I think the discussion about who can be captain, who will be should stop” added more Bashar did.
Bangladesh lost by 5 wickets to Afghans led by Mirage yesterday in the series deciding match. Fifty took the lead at important times with the bat. However, slow batting has to be paid with a loss.
How did Bashar see the captaincy of Mirage? ‘Miraj is not the new captain. He has done captaincy before. Used to captain domestic cricket. We have seen captaincy before. Definitely did very well in the last match too.’
Mirage led Bangladesh in the U-19 World Cup. Has experience leading in BPL as well. Bashar has immense faith in his abilities.
“As I said, Miraj is not a new captain, he has a good ability to captain, we have seen in the age group, we have seen in domestic cricket, he does well when he is given responsibility.”
Bashar also opened up about Bangladesh’s series loss. According to him, things could have been different if Bangladesh started well.
“In the first two matches, it looked like 230 plus par scores. But the wicket of the last match was different, I think it was good. The wicket was a bit better in this match, we could have scored 260 or 270 if we hadn’t lost early wickets. The difference of 10-20 runs may have become more’ - said Bashar.
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What are the implications of Nazmul Hossain Shanta stepping back from captaincy for the Bangladesh cricket team?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Cricket Expert Habibul Bashar Suman
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Habibul! Thank you for joining us today. The Bangladesh cricket scene is buzzing with discussions regarding leadership, especially with Nazmul Hossain Shanta at the center of it all. Can you elaborate on Shanta’s recent decision to step back from captaincy?
Habibul Bashar Suman: Thank you for having me. Yes, the situation surrounding Shanta is quite interesting. His intention to resign from the captaincy stirred discussions even before the South Africa series, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board decided to retain him for the upcoming West Indies series. It indicates a certain level of trust in his capabilities, despite the debates.
Time.news Editor: That leads us to the role of Mehdi Hasan Miraj, who stepped into the captaincy during the Afghanistan series. What are your thoughts on him taking on a leadership position?
Habibul Bashar Suman: Miraj has showcased his potential as a leader. His captaincy debut in the third ODI against Afghanistan was commendable, considering the pressure he was under. He has previously captained domestic teams and even led Bangladesh in the U-19 World Cup, showcasing his capacity to handle leadership roles effectively.
Time.news Editor: It seems there is a growing popularity for Miraj among the fans and some analysts. How influential do you think this is on the current team dynamics, especially with Shanta still in the picture as captain?
Habibul Bashar Suman: Popularity can significantly affect team morale, but we should approach discussions about who should lead cautiously. My stance is that whoever takes up the captaincy must have the full trust of the team and management. The ongoing debate about who should be captain could lead to unnecessary distractions. It’s crucial for the team’s success to maintain a united front.
Time.news Editor: Understanding the importance of a solid leadership structure, what qualities do you think are crucial for a captain to embody, especially in the context of the Bangladeshi team?
Habibul Bashar Suman: A captain must have a blend of tactical acumen, resilience, and the ability to inspire teammates. They also need to remain calm under pressure and communicate effectively. Both Shanta and Miraj possess these qualities. I believe we are in a fortunate position to have capable leaders who can contribute to the team’s growth and stability.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the recent ODI against Afghanistan, where Bangladesh faced a 5-wicket loss. What were the key takeaways from that match regarding leadership and team performance?
Habibul Bashar Suman: Certainly, that match was revealing. Miraj did his best to motivate the team, but slow batting proved detrimental. It highlighted the need for better execution under pressure. Regardless of the captaincy debates, our focus should be on improving overall team performance and learning from our mistakes. Each game provides lessons, especially in tight situations.
Time.news Editor: what do you envision for the future of Bangladesh cricket in terms of leadership and team dynamics?
Habibul Bashar Suman: I believe we are on the verge of a transformation in Bangladesh cricket. With both Shanta and Miraj showing promise, we can embrace a collaborative leadership model. We’ve got talented players who can step up, and consistent performances will build confidence. Moving forward, it’s essential for us to build an environment that fosters mutual respect and trust, laying a strong foundation for success in international cricket.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Habibul. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate these discussions about leadership in Bangladesh cricket. We hope to see the team evolve and thrive in the upcoming series!
Habibul Bashar Suman: Thank you for the opportunity. Let’s hope for a successful series ahead!