[chinaman]

Bashar's decision to quit ODI captaincy is sure to leave a huge void. While he was never been tapped as a prolific skipper, his old fashion, trusted and no-risk style safer approach was more than enough to settle the nerves of BCB officials including selectors as well as fans. Unfortunately, or rather inevitebly, the very circumstances that brought him to the helm are the ones bringing him down. Personal performance and consistency are such mighty things!

We must agree however that, it was great to have his service while it lasted. We owe a lot to the single most successful skipper Bangladesh has ever had to date. Thank you Bashar.

There is neither single nor easy answer to the question, who's gonna fill the void? We have more names than true options. From Ashraful to Abir to Rafique to Kousik to Mashud to Rahim to Rajin, we can name anyone. But deep down, we know how grave the situation is and how volatile the options are for the moment.

With an EKG like performance graph, Ashraful is likely to face more questions than balls. Another step-over the ball and Kousik's mom will do the interview again. A few wicket less sixers and Rafique's social popularity will capture the headlines. Few more zeros and Abir's family life will be the talk of the town. Wrong changes and Rajin will find himself exiting Zia through the back door. The situation is really pressing from the perspective of a fan.

As tigers, we are known to find ways when there is none. There will be no exception this time around either. Rest assured, we'll find it.

One of the possible avenues to explore is to appoint short term skippers while continue to nurture and look for more permanent solution. An experienced vice captain should come very handy. Keepers like Rahim and multi-skillers like Shakib should get more attention than those who may lose consistency without notice.

Periodic lectures, workshops and seminers on leading by example should be of help, more so if it features the likes of Waugh, Tailor, Ranatunge, Imran Khan, Naser Hussain and Heath Streak.

I sincerely hope I got it all wrong and the situation is not as dire as it appears to be.