Image Source- AFP
As he prepares to captain the team against New Zealand
on Tuesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Bangladesh interim ODI
skipper Najmul Hossain stated on Monday that he intends to emulate Shakib Al
Hasan’s leadership tenets.
After another interim leader, Litton Kumar Das, was
given the reins after regular captain Shakib was rested for the entire series
because he desired a break to improve his batting, the BCB named Najmul as
their 16th ODI captain. Despite the possibility that the hosts could lose their
first series against New Zealand in their own backyard since 2010, Najmul seems
eager to accept the challenge.
“It is not a challenge but a matter to
enjoy,” he said on the responsibility. “I am really feeling good for
the opportunity and now the way our team is at the moment with the World Cup
ahead. To be honest if we can end the game on a good note our team will be in a
good shape and if I can end the game on a good note it will be helpful for me
as well,” Najmul told reporters ahead of the third ODI at the
Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.
“We cannot think what happened in 2008 (their
last ODI series loss to New Zealand at home) and it is important to end the
game on a good note tomorrow. I think as a player this is a proud moment for me
and for my family members. The board gave this opportunity and I am very
excited about it. Hopefully I will enjoy it tomorrow,” he said.
“Shakib bhai has always been my favourite
cricketer. As a captain we have seen MS Dhoni and everyone likes him a lot.
Personally I like the way Shakib bhai leads the team and handles the players. I
had the opportunity to play with him in the BPL and learnt a lot of things from
him. The experience I have and what I have learnt from my senior brothers I
will try use it.”
Najmul also admitted that this journey from a player
to captain has been quite pleasant even though he insisted he still has a long
way to go. “If I have to tell about the journey it is going really well
though there is still a long way to go and I really enjoyed both the good times
and bad times,” he said.
“In future if there is a possibility to lead the
side I will surely give it a try and to be honest this is a dream for every
cricketer to lead his country. It (leading the national team) came to me this
time and if there is an opportunity in future will try to fulfill the
responsibility to the best of my ability,” he added.