Mominul 'never thought of becoming Bangladesh captain'

In this file photo taken on 16 March, 2019 Bangladesh cricketer Mominul Haque (R) is seen upon the team`s arrival from New Zealand in Dhaka, a day after narrowly escaping the mosque attack that killed 49 people in Christchurch. Photo: AFP
In this file photo taken on 16 March, 2019 Bangladesh cricketer Mominul Haque (R) is seen upon the team`s arrival from New Zealand in Dhaka, a day after narrowly escaping the mosque attack that killed 49 people in Christchurch. Photo: AFP

Mominul Haque says he was stunned to be named Bangladesh Test captain in place of the banned Shakib Al Hasan but is relishing the chance to take on Virat Kohli's side in India.

Shakib was banned last week by the International Cricket Council for two years, one of them suspended, for failing to declare attempts to bribe him.

Such is the fame of 32-year-old superstar Shakib that around 700 people took to the streets of his hometown in protest, with the prime minister expressing her anguish at the punishment.

Haque, 28, who has never led a top team in domestic cricket, told reporters ahe

In this file photo taken on 22 November, 2018 Bangladesh cricketer Mominul Haque reacts after scoring a century during the first day of the first Test cricket match between Bangladesh and West Indies at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Photo: AFP
In this file photo taken on 22 November, 2018 Bangladesh cricketer Mominul Haque reacts after scoring a century during the first day of the first Test cricket match between Bangladesh and West Indies at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Photo: AFP

ad of the first Test in India next week that he was surprised to get the role.

"I was not ready at all. It was completely unexpected. I never thought even in my dreams that I will be the captain of Bangladesh or I will captain the Test side," he said late Wednesday.

Bangladesh's first two-Test series in India begins 14 November in Indore and ends with the inaugural day-night Test between the sides in Kolkata from 22 November.

"I am very excited as I think (Kohli) is the best player in the world, the best batsman in all formats combined. Thinking about that makes me feel good," Mominul said.

Mominul has played 36 Tests and scored 2,613 runs and has the highest average among his country's batsmen at 41.47.

"We have not played a Test under the floodlights and with the pink ball. It is a very good chance to play good cricket," the left-hander said while insisting the captaincy would not affect his game.

"I never considered captaincy as pressure or responsibility. If I keep thinking that as a captain I have to take extra responsibility to carry the team forward then I will be in some pressure," he said.

"But if I play my natural game, and think that I am a batsman who needs to score for his team, then it will not have any effect," he added.

Mominul is not part of the Twenty20 squad in India, led by experienced batsman Mahmudullah Riyad, who are 1-0 up in a three-match series after winning the opener by seven wickets in New Delhi. The second match is in Rajkot later Thursday.