Hope to make it memorable, says new captain Miraz ahead of his 50th Test

Bangladesh will lock horns with the West Indies in the first Test later tonight at 8 PM, and for Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the match carries special significance.

The seasoned all-rounder is set to mark his 50th Test appearance, a milestone he is determined to make unforgettable.

In the absence of regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who is sidelined with an injury, Miraz will also be leading Bangladesh in Test cricket for the first time.

Reflecting on his journey, Miraz said, "Alhamdulillah, I feel very happy. Playing 50 Tests for my country is a significant achievement. I consider it a great honour, and I hope to make this match a memorable one."

Bangladesh's record in the Caribbean hasn't been promising in recent years. Despite a historic 2-0 series win during a depleted West Indies tour in 2009, they have lost all six Tests played on their last three visits.

However, Miraz remains optimistic about reversing this trend: "Our target is to play good cricket. In the past, we didn't do well here in Test cricket, losing all our matches. This time, we aim to win, and everyone is focused on contributing."

The team's preparations have given the interim skipper confidence. "Alhamdulillah, we didn't perform well in Antigua before, losing badly. This time, we've had about ten days of training, played a practice match, and the players are in good shape. I'm confident our team will do well. If we play as a unit, I believe we can achieve a positive result in this Test," he added.

Bangladesh will be without several senior players on this tour, making the challenge even greater. Mushfiqur Rahim is sidelined due to injury, and Shakib Al Hasan has already announced his retirement from international cricket.

Addressing these absences, Miraz said, "We don't have some of our senior players, but I, Mominul [Haque], and Litton [Das] are here. We have enough experience to guide the team. Yes, we will miss Mushfiq bhai and Shakib bhai, but I believe we can still perform well. This is also a great opportunity for the younger players to prove themselves in these conditions."

For the first time in 16 years, Bangladesh will play a Test without any of their stalwarts – Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, or Mushfiqur Rahim. Despite this generational shift, Miraz is confident in the abilities of the current squad.

He downplayed concerns over the lack of experience, highlighting the contributions of himself, Mominul, and Litton as the new senior core.

"Yes, our senior players are not here, but Mominul, Litton, and I are experienced enough. We played two Tests here two years ago, and we are staying positive," he said during the pre-match press conference in Antigua.

While acknowledging the challenge of filling the void left by stalwarts like Shakib and Mushfiqur, Miraz placed his faith in the younger players.

"This is part of cricket. Mushfiq bhai isn't available, and Shakib bhai has retired. But we still have a strong team. The younger players have an excellent opportunity to shine in these conditions. I believe we have the skill and determination to deliver a strong performance," he concluded.

The Test marks a new chapter for Bangladesh cricket, with the team stepping onto the field under Miraz's leadership and a fresh wave of talent ready to prove their mettle.