Tamim: Shakib can bat at three whenever he wants

All-rounder Shakib al Hasan may bat at number three anytime if the cricketer wishes, said Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal during a virtual press meet on Tuesday.

Bangladesh national head coach Russell Domingo during a press conference on Monday had revealed to push Shakib to number four in the batting line-up. Domingo emphasised it is best to create opportunity for a young batsman in the top order in sub-continent condition. The opening is settled with Tamim and Liton Das taking the charge.

@TamimOfficial28 in his first official press conference since taking charge as the ODI skipper in March last year emphasized the need of creating a team DNA that would lead it to positive results.https://t.co/YZCMz799gz

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) January 19, 2021

Domingo had shared the team's intention of trying left-handed batsman Najmul Hasan Shanto at number three. The fact that Shakib is coming back to international cricket after a long break, having served a one-year ban imposed by the International Cricket Council along with the fact of aiming for a stronger middle-order are thoughts behind pushing Shakib to number four. 

Tamim, however made it clear that Shakib is open to change his batting position at any time.

“We had a clear message to him (Shakib) when we started our camp and I privately spoke to him on this. He understood the team plan and took it positively,” said Tamim in the pre-match press conference for the first ODI against West Indies on Tuesday. 

Hosts Bangladesh will take on the Caribbean side in the first game of the three-match ODI series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday. 

“This will also create a breathing space for him (Shakib). He is coming back (to international cricket) after a long time. We all know and are aware of how well he has been at number three. He is happy to bat at number four and I have told him he can go back to bat at three anytime he feels like,” Tamim added.

Left-handed opener @TamimOfficial28 was named long-term captain of the Bangladesh ODI side in March last year as successor to veteran pacer @ImMashrafe02 https://t.co/YvPo8458ij

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) January 18, 2021

Shakib has been very successful batting at number three for Bangladesh in ODIs. The left-handed batsman has an average of 58.58 in 23 matches scoring 1177 runs. The tally involved two centuries and 11 half centuries. Shakib’s last 11 innings in the position yielded myriads of runs as the southpaw scored at an astounding rate of 93.25 runs with one century and seven half centuries.   

Batting at four, Shakib has scored 859 runs in 30 matches at an average of 41.69 with two centuries and four half centuries. His career best in the format with the bat, 134 runs, has come batting at number four.