Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza has thrown his support behind the embattled Shakib al Hasan, who was banned by the ICC for two years Tuesday for failing to report three corrupt approaches, with one year of that suspended.
Mashrafe expressed sadness at the current situation and believes Shakib will come back stronger than ever and lead the Tigers to the 2023 World Cup final, scheduled to be hosted by India.
Although Mashrafe is still the Bangladesh ODI skipper, many are of the opinion that Test and T20I captain Shakib will take over Mashrafe’s armband once he retires from 50-over cricket.
Mashrafe said on facebook, “I will spend some sleepless nights after today’s [Tuesday] incident concerning my fellow fighter of 13 years. But I will also sleep peacefully within a few days thinking that it is under his captaincy that we will qualify for the 2023 World Cup final. Because the name is Shakib al Hasan…!!!”
