Tamim Iqbal has been named as the captain of Bangladesh’s ODI team.
He takes over from Mashrafe Mortaza and will next lead Bangladesh in the one-off ODI clash with Pakistan next month.
Mortaza was replaced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after the three-game series success over Zimbabwe.
Tamim had previously skippered the ODI side against Sri Lanka in Mortaza’s absence. The BCB now hope that their new captain will lead the team for a long time after choosing not to make it a series-by-series arrangement like in the past.
BCB president Nazmul Hasan said: “We have selected Tamim as our captain for a long period of time.
“There is no guarantee, but he we have selected him for a substantial amount of time. Initially, we wanted to select for a short term and then wanted to select someone next year as the full-time captain.
“But at the end of the board meeting, we wanted Tamim to lead the side for a long period of time.”
Bangladesh are currently in T20I action against Zimbabwe as they fine-tune their preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year.
They are considered 101.00 (100/1) outsiders with bet365 for the competition.
Mortaza ends with a win
Mashrafe Mortaza had previously announced that the third ODI against Zimbabwe would be his last. He ended his spell as skipper with a 3-0 series win against Zimbabwe but will continue to be available for selection.
Hasan added: “Every player gains form and also goes through a lean patch. But age is a big factor. If he wants to be in the game, he (Mashrafee) is most welcome to, but he has to come through the competition.
“I am sure he does not feel he is fit but he is very stubborn and he is not someone who will backtrack. I won't be surprised if he returns back to the national side.”
The retirement of Mortaza had been rumoured since the end of the World Cup in England last year.
However, that has not happened even though he has removed his name from the list of Bangladesh’s centrally contracted players for 2020.
