Sakib returns to Test helm

Bangladesh Cricket Board on Sunday removed Mushfiqur Rahim as Test captain and replaced him with all-rounder Sakib al Hasan ahead of two-Test series against Sri Lanka in January-February at home.
The decision was finalised during a meeting of the Board of Directors, which discussed the future of national cricket team at length in the wake of a disastrous tour of South Africa.
The Board also striped opener Tamim Iqbal of the duty of Test vice-captain and appointed batsman Mahmudullah in his post. Tamim, however, would continue as deputy of Sakib in Twenty20 side, said BCB president Nazmul Hasan after the meeting. 
‘We have decided to change the Test captain. Sakib al Hasan will be our new Test skipper from the upcoming series and Mahmudullah will be the vice-captain of the side. There will be no change in the other formats,’ he said. 
The decision to appoint Sakib as new Test captain came a day after the BCB president revealed that the all-rounder’s decision to skip the Test series in South Africa did not go well with outgoing head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe.
Hathurusinghe also had some differences with Mushfiq in South Africa, which was evident in a press conference after the first day’s play of the second Test in Bloemfontein. 
At the much-talked-about press conference, Mushfiqur said he wished he had not won the toss, and admitted his failure to motivate the players or guide my bowlers. In explicit term over coach’s interference in his job, Mushfiq admitted he was even unable to decide his own role in the team. 
BCB president was not pleased reading his comments and made an indication that his reign as captain in 34 Tests for six years could be over before the next series. 
‘We want best batting service from Mushfiq. We want him to concentrate on his batting, want to free him from pressure’ Nazmul explained BCB decision over his axing. 
Sakib was a clear favourite to return to the helm of Test side after already replacing Mashrafee bin Murtaza as Twenty20 captain. 
He led Bangladesh for nine Tests between 2009 and 2011, taking over from injured Mashrafee at Arnos Vale in St. Vincent. 
Bangladesh recorded a clean sweep victory over West Indies in Sakib’s first series as Test captain but that did not make BCB think twice before axing him after a poor series in Zimbabwe in 2011. 
BCB president hinted Sakib can expect a wider role in future if not very soon. 
‘Overall, we are willing to make a plan for next four to five years and the decision is just the beginning of the new plan,’ he said.
‘There will be some changes also in other fields as well. But till now, this is the only change which has been made today,’ added Nazmul. 
Sakib is expected to begin his second innings as Test captain with series against Sri Lanka, who will play two-Tests and as many Twenty20 internationals against Tigers in January-February.  

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net