Mehidy Hasan Miraz to lead Bangladesh in ODIs replacing Shanto

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the new captain of the men’s One Day International (ODI) team. The 27-year-old will take over the reins from Najmul Hossain Shanto and will lead the side for the next 12 months.

Mehidy is set to begin his captaincy stint during Bangladesh’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in July. He admitted that leading the national team is a dream come true and a proud moment for both him and his family. He also acknowledged the talent within the squad and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to perform well for the country.

“Captaining the national team is a dream come true. I’m incredibly honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me. This is a proud moment for me and my family. I believe in this group — we have the skills and the mindset to play fearless cricket. I want us to express ourselves confidently, stay committed, and keep playing with heart for the country,” said Mehidy to the ICC.

The off-spinner has previously captained Bangladesh in four ODIs in the absence of Shanto. In his ODI career so far, Mehidy has scored 1,617 runs and taken 110 wickets in 105 matches. He is currently ranked No. 4 among ODI all-rounders in the ICC rankings.

Mehidy also joins an elite group of Bangladeshi cricketers, including Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, and Shakib Al Hasan, to achieve the milestone of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs. Earlier this year, he was named vice-captain of Bangladesh’s Test squad for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, which begins on June 17 in Sri Lanka.

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.

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