ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Finally Shakib named Bangladesh captain.

As was widely expected, Shakib Al Hasan will lead Bangladesh into this year's World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), on Friday, named the world's number all-rounder as captain and dashing opener Tamim Iqbal as his deputy for the next one year.


After Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's latest knee injury there was no other choice for the game's governing body but to declare Shakib as the Tigers' skipper. However, the appointment of Tamim as vice-captain came as a surprise to many with wicketkeeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim long mooted as the most likely candidate.

It was still not an easy decision for the BCB president AHM Mustafa Kamal to select Shakib as captain, as the number one all-rounder was reportedly not ready to take charge only for the World Cup, instead insisting on long-term duty when he met with the BCB president in the morning.

The BCB boss finally agreed on a one-year tenure after a meeting with the high-ups including the selectors at his Mirpur office and the decision this time made Shakib happy. The world's best all-rounder had previously expressed his disappointment on his short-term, stop-gap role.

“Yes, this time I am happy. I always believe in a long-term policy. Now I can plan something for the team,” said Shakib soon after the BCB made the official announcement on the eve of the New Year.

“Now my first job will be to work towards a good team for the World Cup. I firmly believe that the captain has to have a strong opinion on team selection. Definitely I will be part of the team selection this time,” he added.

The world's number one all-rounder also said that he was looking forward to the 2011 World Cup where Bangladesh is one of the co-hosts along with India and Sri Lanka.

“Definitely my first target is to play good cricket in the World Cup and do something as a co-host. I have to take all the responsibility for good or bad result in this big event. I am however excited to lead the team in the World Cup,” said Shakib.

The Bangladesh captain also believes that there will be a good partnership with Tamim.

“We have a very good relationship and hope we can work together to inspire the team for good results in the coming days,” Shakib hoped.

Tamim was however quite surprised by the decision but he was delighted to do his duty.

“I'm surprised because I never thought about it. I will try my best to do my duty as the vice-captain,” said the left-hander, who just went through a very successful year with the bat.

BCB's media committee chairman Jalal Yunus explained the reason behind the board's decision of declaring the captain and vice-captain for one year.

“We took the decision because we thought that it will help our cricket and team performance. Shakib successfully led the team in the last couple of series and we have faith on him that's why we went for a long-term policy,” explained Yunus.

“What we believe is that this decision will also help Shakib to become a good leader because he will get enough time to think about his captaincy. On the other hand we picked up Tamim as vice-captain because he is a performer and has a good future and we want to give him an opportunity so that he can prepare himself as a leader,” he added.

2010: Mixed Emotions

Sydney is currently celebrating their 2011 celebrations right now as I'm typing this. And yes, this blog is officially more than 1 year in use! 


Overall, 2010 is a bittersweet year for me. The year began silently while fireworks from the Tawau Yacht Club began beautifying the skies, while I was alone at home, thinking of the future. All was static until February when I embarked my first journey overseas to Melbourne and Sydney of Australia. 

Gosh! They are 2 beautiful places. I wish 1 day I will be back there as a travelling photographer. 

In fact, I made my second attempt on covering a wedding - which is of my cousin Jason, and Iris Cheung. And I even learned some tips from their hired photographers. It was a really great experience learning with the Nikon D80. 


I went back to Kuala Lumpur and resumed my 2nd semester in Journalism. Happy to met back most of my classmates. They even celebrated my birthday. 

However, that happiness had short-lived. It's not that I had a quarrel with them or something, I really have no idea why things changed ever since our campus had shifted to the new Lakeside Campus around April after the mid-term break. For sure, when we were in the old LCS campus, we were still able to go anywhere during class breaks. However, the traffic jams discouraged us to go outings, plus, the food in the new campus were more expensive. 

However, during that period, I really thanked God for Elaine whom I always sms-ed with during her National Service periods throughout those days. She really cheered me up. Without her I really felt alone at those times, seriously. 

Plus, I also had a nice gathering with my old classmates during that period. Can't wait to see you guys during Chinese New Year. 


World Cup fever was around that time, and I returned to Tawau for vacation. It was a fantastic tournament as Spain pounced against their opponents 1 by 1 to win the Cup, as Andres Iniesta scored the screamer goal against Holland, leaving the Dutch Oranje being stunned with 1 of their players, John Heitinga, got red carded. 

Once again, another gathering happened, thanks to Michelle Dieh, the main organizer. 

One of the pictures taken that day. 


After the break, I was then blessed with another new camera, which is needed for my 3rd semester's Introduction to Digital Media (IDM) course, the Sony NEX-5. As its advertisement tagline said - Creativity Changes The Everyday, the NEX-5 does a better job when compared to my Nikon D80, specially at night. I needed it for its video features. 


Well, my original choice was to get a Panasonic LX5, but it haven't reached the Malaysian markets yet. 

See how good it is, when compared to the ageing D80. 


Nothing really happened much in the 3rd semester. My main classmates were just Amirul, Jenifer and Aalia, a new student who had transferred from UiTM if I'm not mistaken. And this is the semester where we were began to be segregated according to our majors. The huge group of friends who we were in 2009 had been divided into smaller groups. 


I really had a deserted feeling. The only gathering I had with the CMM-ers, namely Huei Ling, Thomas, Bong + Kar Chun and Ruth was during the Syabu Syabu gathering around Sept or Oct.

However, it was this semester when I felt that I began having a stronger affiliation with my church - Faith Christian Centre. Well, besides of having my shared group and my ex-cell members from the English Youth, I also get to know some other friends like Melanie and Vincent. 


And slowly I became one of my church's main photographers - alongside my cell leader, Kim Loong, plus Gary, Cedric, Zermi, etc. And the first church event I covered was the Celebration Night concert.


The Sony NEX-5 then became like an offering to God. And I'm looking forward for more church coverage. 


Well, that explained why 2010 is kinda bittersweet. I saw large group of friends being segregated into smaller groups, I saw relationships reinforced and dissolved. I saw myself being in a middle of nowhere, sometimes I saw insights and new wisdom along the road. 


At the end of the day, it's all about life. You still have to move on. In this month, an online suicide note rocked Kuala Lumpur with the death of Alviss Kong. He just ended his own life for the sake of being depressed of his no-longer-committing girlfriend. I won't label him as foolish, nor sincere, being neutral about him tells me about how important life is. 


Last but not least, 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 

May new adventures await us.