Shakib Al Hasan's Multiple Stints as Bangladesh Captain: 2022

Shakib Al Hasan, like Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal has been a part of the best and worst in Bangladesh Cricket. They have seen almost everything that has gone through in Bangladesh Cricket history, and Shakib Al Hasan’s ban was probably one of the lowest points in the history, especially after coming back from a spectacular World Cup, in which Bangladesh competed very well. He is also one of the best all-rounders World Cricket has seen, and now he will be gearing up for another challenge.

With Monimul Haque stepping down after a string of Test defeats, Bangladesh has gone back to an old face, giving Shakib Al Hasan the leadership duties. Up until now, Shakib Al Hasan has had five stints as Test captain, dating back to his early days in the side in 2009.

His first stint as captain of the side was in a stand-in capacity. With Mashrafe Mortaza injured, Shakib Al Hasan was handed the leadership. His captaincy career started well as Bangladesh won their first series overseas, and this put pressure on Mashrafe Mortaza’s role as captain. Mortaza kept the role though until injuries continued to hamper him.

Shakib continued to lead in white-ball cricket though, but was handed the role of Test captaincy again in 2010. He led the side for half the year, but couldn’t handle the additional duties. With Shakib Al Hasan being the premier all-rounder of the side and carrying the double burden of being both the best batter and bowler in the team, captaincy was a little too much, and he couldn’t concentrate on his game. He stepped down, but was given the role again in 2011, against Zimbabwe.

With Mortaza injured again, Shakib led the side in multiple formats again for a few games, and also took the team into the World Cup as the leader. Again, not satisfied with his role as captain, Shakib Al Hasan let go of the role, and this time stayed away from captaincy for a while. He went on to become the best batter and bowler in the side as captaincy rotated around the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, along with Mashrafe Mortaza when he was available.

In 2017 though, Mashrafe Mortaza wasn’t playing the Test format anymore, and Mushfiqur Rahim was removed as Test skipper, which led to Shakib Al Hasan taking the role four a fourth time. In this stint though, Shakib Al Hasan couldn’t hold the role long as he injured his finger and later decided to take a break from Test Cricket.

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He came back from the break and held onto the role of Test captain for two years, doing a decent job in his tenure as well. He was in the middle of a golden period, scoring runs, and taking wickets in almost each game, coinciding with a dream World Cup, but then lost all his momentum when he was banned for a year. He failed to report a bookie approach which saw him lose his place in the side for an year, but managed to come back after the ban ended.

On his comeback though, Shakib Al Hasan’s workload became a concern and his availability in the Test format was in doubt. He has taken a few breaks in the longer format over the last year, stating that he was tired. Recently, his commitment was in question as well, as Shakib was selected even after opting out of a Test series, leading to a lot of confusion.

Along with his issues regarding availability in the longer format, Shakib Al Hasan has come under the scanner for his discipline in the last two years as well. However, 12 years after leading the side for the first time, Shakib Al Hasan, 35, is back as the captain and might be pleased to see how far he has come over the two years, with so many issues around him.

His availability continues to be a question, but now that he is captain of the side, he may be prompted to play more games. He didn’t enjoy the last few stints, but with experience on his side, this time, Shakib Al Hasan is likely to be more prepared and will be hoping to make this chance count.