Saleh aims to inspire Tigers

By Scott Heinrich
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

Saleh (front, centre) flanked by some other international skippers

When Rajin Saleh took to the field against South Africa on Sunday, he did so as Bangladesh's youngest ever captain.

So it helps that the 20-year-old has the full support of his team-mates, and perhaps more importantly, the ringing endorsement of his coach.

It must be said that Saleh is there by default, with regular skipper Habibul Bashar ruled out of the Champions Trophy with a thumb injury.

But coach Dav Whatmore has plenty of good things to say about him.

"This kid will run through a brick wall for you," says Whatmore, who is hoping Saleh can succeed where so many of his predecessors have failed.

"It's never nice to lose a captain, but that's the way it is. It was a long time ago now and we¿re on the road to doing good things.

"Rajin leads by example. I think he's a fairly attacking leader, which is great. Leading from the front when you are on the field is great, and I think he does it pretty well.

"He tends to rally all the boys around him. The support he has got from the other senior players has been wonderful.

Saleh is regarded as one of Bangladesh's strongest players

"It's just another game for him. It may be his first as captain and as the youngest captain of Bangladesh, but we have a job to do and he has to work hard at it."

With just 19 one-day games to his name, Saleh ranks as a rookie even in a team with an international history as short as Bangladesh's.

Was he taken aback to be given the captain's armband barely one year after his first call-up to the side?

"I was definitely surprised to be asked," remarks Saleh, a highly-regarded batsman who has scored five international fifties for the Tigers.

"It brings pressure, but I am not feeling it too much because other players have been very supportive.

"I have captained the Bangladesh A team before against both England and Zimbabwe."

It sounds as if Saleh is trying to justify his lofty position by listing his credentials, but he is aware that Whatmore's faith is all he needs.

"In the past there has been the odd game where Rajin has stepped up and captained the team," Whatmore adds.

"He has been vice-captain for the last three series and it was the logical step-up for him."

It may be only a short-term lease on the captaincy, but anything Saleh can learn is bound to benefit a Bangladesh team still coming to terms with life in the big league.