Nazmul Hassan compares Mushfiqur Rahim with Mortaza and Shakib al Hasan

BCB President Nazmul Hassan has been critical about Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim after the latter questioned his role in the side. Rahim captains the Tigers in the Test matches, apart from keeping wickets and batting at a crucial position for his side.

Post defeat in the Chittagong Test, Mushfiqur demanded clarity of his role in the side to the decision makers. To which BCB Chief lashed out and claimed that the likes of Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib al Hasan, who lead the Tigers in ODIs and T20Is, have never faced a similar problem and it is up to Mushfiqur himself to sort out the issue.

“I think it is Mushfiqur’s problem. Doesn’t Mashrafe [Mortaza] captain the side? He has never faced such a problem. Shakib [Al Hasan], the new T20 captain, will never face a problem. These things are a captain’s decision. We can give him a strategy but he has to take the decision in the field. Mashrafe decides by himself who will bowl and bat. We can give him information, maybe tell him, ‘Try this, try him,’ but nothing more than that,” stated Nazmul Hassan according to Espncricinfo.

“We asked him if he wants to keep wickets. We asked him if he wants to bat at No. 4. Even the day before the second innings [of the Chittagong Test], I sent him word to bat at No. 4, but he didn’t do it. So it is up to him. He sent Nasir [Hossain at No. 4]; maybe he didn’t want to change his position. I will ask him since he said such a thing in the media. After the end of play on the first day, I discussed plans and strategies with Shakib, Miraz, Taijul [Islam] and the coach. But I won’t dictate them what to do,” added the BCB Chief.

Nazmul Hasan on future endeavours

The President of BCB seemed optimistic about the plans for the ICC World Cup of 2019 to be held in England. Bangladesh managed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, also held in England, by knocking out New Zealand and Australia.

“Ahead of the 2019 World Cup, we have 30 international matches scheduled. In the last 18-20 matches, we will not make any changes,” he said. “We want a set team for the World Cup. But in the first 10-odd games, we will make many experiments. There may be a few who wouldn’t be happy with it but we have to have a settled World Cup team, concluded Hassan.