All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been named captain of Bangladesh’s ODI team for the next 12 months, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
The 27-year-old replaces Najmul Hossain Shanto and will begin his full-time captaincy with the upcoming three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka next month, UNB reports.
Miraz has previously led the side in four ODIs when Shanto was unavailable.
“The Board felt that Miraz’s consistent performances with bat and ball, his ability to fight and inspire, and his presence on and off the field make him an ideal candidate,” said Nazmul Abedeen, Chairman of BCB’s Cricket Operations Committee.
“We are in a transitional phase in ODI cricket, and we believe he has the temperament and maturity to guide the team forward,” he added.
Shanto, who was at the helm in recent months, remains part of the leadership group.
“We thank him for the character he has shown as captain. His contribution with the bat remains vital,” the BCB added in the statement.
Miraz brings a solid record to the job, having scored 1,617 runs and taken 110 wickets in 105 ODIs.
He is currently ranked No. 4 in the ICC ODI allrounder rankings—the highest ever for a Bangladeshi player—and joins an elite group that includes Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan in completing the 1,000-run, 100-wicket double in the format.
“It’s a huge honour,” said Miraz. “Leading the country is a dream for any cricketer. I want us to play fearless cricket, perform with confidence, and give our best for Bangladesh.”
