Miraz named Bangladesh’s new ODI captain for one year

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been appointed as the new captain of the Bangladesh One Day International (ODI) team for the next one year, replacing Shanto in a move that has surprised many within and outside the cricketing circles of the country.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) finalised the decision during a Zoom meeting earlier this week, and Miraz was officially informed just a day before his first press conference in the new role. The change in leadership comes just months after Shanto had been given full-time captaincy across all three formats, a responsibility he took over gradually following the decline or exit of previous senior leaders like Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Litton Das.

Miraz, the 26-year-old all-rounder, shared the moment he was informed about the new role. "Yesterday, Fahim Sir (Nazmul Abedin, Chairman of Cricket Operations) called me in and said they were thinking of giving me this responsibility. He told me a decision had to be made quickly since matches were approaching and the ODI squad needed to be finalised. That's when I was informed."

What makes the development more intriguing is the manner in which Shanto was removed from the ODI captaincy. Last year, the BCB had appointed him captain in all three formats in a long-term leadership plan. Earlier this year, Shanto himself expressed a desire to step down from T20 captaincy, but the ODI role seemed secure. According to multiple sources, there was no prior discussion with Shanto before the latest decision was made. He was informed of the board's choice around the same time as Miraz, and reports suggest that he was visibly disappointed by the process. So much so, he even contemplated stepping away from Test captaincy—a role he continues to hold for now.

Despite the abrupt shift, Miraz remains confident that the change will not affect team harmony or his relationship with Shanto. Speaking to the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, he said, "I don't think there will be any negative impact in the dressing room. At the end of the day, we all play for the country. These things will never be an issue between Shanto and me. When he was captain, I supported him in every way. I hope he will do the same for me."

Miraz further shared that he had a direct conversation with Shanto after the announcement. "He told me, 'I never felt any different because I was captain, and I hope you won't either.' We're committed to working together for the betterment of Bangladesh cricket. We want to take the team to a better place."

While this is his first extended stint as captain, Miraz has previously led the national side. Last November, he stepped in as captain in two Tests and four ODIs when Shanto was sidelined due to injury. Although Bangladesh won one of those Tests, they lost all four ODIs. Despite the results, Miraz believes the experience was invaluable. "That was a difficult situation. I had to take over suddenly, and the team's plans were already made by Shanto. My job was mostly to run the show on the field. But those matches taught me a lot. Now that I've been given a full year, I think I'll be able to work with the team more closely and create something positive."

A naturally composed and team-focused cricketer, Miraz has risen through the ranks steadily since his international debut. He was a standout performer in the Under-19 World Cup as captain and gradually became a fixture in the national side across formats. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball has often drawn comparisons with Shakib Al Hasan, under whom he played the most number of matches—41 in total. He also played 38 matches under Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and 35 under Tamim Iqbal.

Reflecting on his journey and the influence of his former captains, Miraz said, "My ODI debut was under Mashrafe Bhai. I've learned a lot from him, Shakib Bhai, and Tamim Bhai—how they handled pressure, made strong decisions, and led the team. Those experiences have shaped my own leadership style. I've seen how sometimes you have to make tough calls. They may or may not work, but it's the ability to take them that counts."

Interestingly, Miraz recently shared the dressing room with Shakib during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where they played for Peshawar Zalmi. Though Shakib hasn't featured for the national team since last October and has remained away from the country amid political transitions, he continues to take an active interest in Bangladesh cricket. Miraz revealed they had several conversations about the state and future of the national team.

"We talked a lot about Bangladesh cricket," Miraz said. "He really wants to see the team do well. He told me that the younger players need to step up, and that we all have to play as a unit. When everyone contributes, that's when the results start to come."

Looking ahead, Miraz believes that building a strong, unified dressing room is one of his most important responsibilities. "When we were new, the seniors helped us feel part of the team. I want to do the same for the younger players now. They should never feel like they're alone in the dressing room. We're all in this together."

He also acknowledged that leadership isn't just about tactics or field placements, but about holding the team together through challenging times. "The job of a captain is to back the players and keep the atmosphere positive. I'll try to carry forward the legacy of those who led before me and help the team play fearless, united cricket."