Tamim: Shakib has no problem to bat at number 4
However, the door to bat at number three is being kept open for Shakib.
Shakib Al Hasan did wonders at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 batting at number 3. The left-arm all-rounder literally revolutionized by batting at number three. He scored 706 runs in 8 innings at an average of 7.56 with two centuries and five half-centuries, which was the third-highest of the tournament. But now Shakib has to give away his place to the youngster Nazmul Hossain Shanto for the upcoming series.
Despite being so successful, many are surprised to see the change in Shakib's batting order. However, Shakib has no objection to the team's decision. The world's best all-rounder has happily accepted the decision, said Bangladesh's ODI captain Tamim Iqbal.
"I spoke to him (Shakib) personally. He is happy to bat at number four. I also told him to talk to me if he ever wants to go back to number three. He is absolutely okay with that'," Tamim told during a virtual press conference on Tuesday before the first ODI against Windies.
The team management wants to give Shakib a breathing space who just returned to cricket after a year-long ban. Tamim was in tune with the coach Russell Domingo who said the same thing the day before.
Shakib has been informed at the start of the camp that he will be batting at number four, said Tamim.
'When we started the camp, the message was very clear to him. He has no problem with that, he understands the situation very well. And for this, he will find a place to breathe. Shakib has come after a long time. We all know how well he did at number three. His record speaks for itself. We are aware of it," explained the skipper.
Shakib is the most successful number three in Bangladesh team. The all-rounder has scored 1,018 runs at an average of 56.75 with two centuries and 11 half-centuries in 23 ODIs for Bangladesh. But the team management is changing the batting order to give Shakib a place of comfort, to strengthen the middle order with the experience in the 2023 World Cup and to test Shanto.