The news of Shakib al-Hasan becoming the Test captain of Bangladesh has created waves in the cricketing fraternity, most of which haven’t been all too supportive. In fact, if anything people seem concerned and angry at the choice and can’t fathom how the BCB have made such a decision.

So much negative has been already said that we at Cricfrenzy have decided to compile a list stating the 5 reasons why Shakib al-Hasan is the right man to lead Bangladesh in Tests…

#1 He is the team’s best batsman

Let’s just start with the obvious things – and what is more obvious than stating that Shakib al-Hasan is the best batsman in the Bangladesh team? The man averages 40.38 in 96 Test innings and has scored 5 centuries and 22 half-centuries.

He also has a double hundred in the format and a grand total of 3549 runs. Even when we don’t look at the stats, Shakib’s match-winning ability with the bat can’t be overlooked.

#2 He is the team’s best bowler

And then there is this. The slow-left arm is also the team’s best bowler. Whenever the Tigers need a wicket, the ball is thrown at him and he almost never disappoints. Statistically, too, his numbers are very good and supports the claim.

In 86 innings, he has gotten 188 scalps at an average of 32.37 and a strike-rate of a decent 64.3. All in all, with 17 5-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls, it is safe to claim that Shakib is the best all-rounder the game has now.

#3 Was younger in his last spell

The last time the all-rounder became the captain of the team, he was only 22 years-old and was taking his first steps towards stardom. In fact, he wasn’t even supposed to be the captain in the first place as Mashrafe Mortaza was announced as the successor of Mohammad Ashraful, but an injury to the former ensured that Shakib took the reins too early in his career.

And then it happened. Bangladesh failed in the Test circuit and Shakib took the fall. As if the team wasn’t weak already, the criticism of Shakib back then was a bit too premature and exaggerated. Now, however, with years of experience behind him, he is going to be a better captain than ever before.

#4 Has more authority now

This is an extension of the previous point. As mentioned earlier, Shakib was only 22 in his last spell as a captain, which made him a youngster among the others itself. Now, at the age of 30 and year of experience under his belt, he is among the senior-most players in the team – and, hence, has more authority.

The 30-year-old Magura-born man is a revered figure in the dressing room and his authority will play a major role in his current spell as the captain. The more the youngsters are willing to listen, the better the team becomes.

#5 Deserves a second chance