Mehidy Hasan Miraz takes on a challenging new role as captain of Bangladesh’s ODI team, at a time when the team’s ICC ranking is at its lowest in nearly two decades. His leadership will be put to the test in Sri Lanka soon, where Bangladesh will face the hosts in a three-match series starting 8th July. This is a critical assignment, given Bangladesh’s historical struggles in Sri Lanka, winning only four out of 36 encounters.
“We want to win our first ODI series in Sri Lanka,” Mehidy expressed at a pre-tour press conference. “The first match is very important as we haven’t been playing a lot of ODI cricket lately. We didn’t play many last year. It is going to be challenging as we’re used to playing 15-20 matches a year.”
Mehidy is familiar with the captaincy, having led Bangladesh in a previous series against the West Indies, stepping in for an injured Najmul Hossain Shanto. This time, his position is more permanent as he steps into a long-term leadership role, hoping to improve Bangladesh’s standing during the 23 ODI matches scheduled in the upcoming year.
“I made my captaincy debut in a different circumstance. I was the vice-captain, so I had to step up as Shanto got injured. It is difficult to captain the side in that situation. It was Shanto’s set-up. I just had to run the field. I gathered experience in those four ODIs but captaincy is better on a long-term basis,” Mehidy acknowledges the difficulty but sees it as preparatory ground. “I will try to get the team to a good position in 12 months.”
Mehidy’s evolution from a successful youth captain to a senior team leader reflects his resilience and determination. Leading Bangladesh to the semi-finals of the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, with a 62.5% win rate, he has proven his mettle. Recognised for his decisive nature, he noted, “A captain has to take strong decisions in tough situations. You might not get a second chance.”
His growth from an impressive Under-19 career to an impactful debut Test series against England, where he captured 19 wickets, showcases his dedication and learning fervour. “I have learned a lot from my captains in the past. I will use that knowledge as the ODI captain. I have always followed how they took their decisions strongly,” he says, underscoring his vision for nurturing younger players akin to how he was supported by senior teammates.
With Mehidy at the helm, Bangladesh cricket hopes he can inject vitality and confidence back into the squad during this significant phase. The balance between leveraging past leadership lessons and fostering a new team dynamic will be pivotal in shaping Bangladesh’s future on the ODI stage.
