The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz the new captain of the men’s One Day International (ODI) squad. The 27-year-old will succeed Najmul Hossain Shanto and head the team for the next year.
Mehidy will take over as captain of Bangladesh for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in July. He confessed that leading the national squad was a dream come true and a source of pride for both him and his family. He also complimented the squad’s talent and showed confidence in the team’s capacity to represent the country.
“Being captain of the national team is a dream come true. I am extremely honoured by the Board’s confidence in me. This is a proud occasion for both me and my family. I believe in this bunch; we have the ability and mindset to play fearless cricket. “I want us to express ourselves confidently, stay committed, and continue playing with heart for our country,” Mehidy told the ICC.
In Shanto’s absence, the off-spinner captained Bangladesh in four One-Day Internationals. Mehidy has a total of 1,617 runs and 110 wickets in 105 ODIs. He is now ranked fourth among ODI all-rounders in the ICC rankings.
Mehidy now joins an elite group of Bangladeshi cricketers, including Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, and Shakib Al Hasan, who have scored 1,000 runs and taken 100 wickets in one-day internationals. Earlier this year, he was selected vice-captain of Bangladesh’s Test squad for the forthcoming World Test Championship (WTC), which begins on June 17th in Sri Lanka.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz has consistently delivered with bat and ball and brings fighting spirit: Abedeen
The BCB Cricket Operations Committee Chairman, Nazmul Abedeen, stated Mehidy’s consistent performances earned him the leadership role. He also praised Shanto for showing immense character and emphasized that he will continue to be a key player in the team’s batting lineup.
“Miraz has consistently delivered with both bat and ball and brings a fighting spirit and infectious energy to the team. His performances, leadership qualities, and overall maturity make him a fitting choice to guide the team through this transitional phase in our ODI journey,” said Aberdeen.
“We’re grateful for the positivity and character Shanto displayed during his captaincy stint. He remains an integral part of our leadership group and a key figure in the batting unit,” he concluded.
India
