Mehidy wants to bring hope back in ODIs for country

Mehidy Hasan Miraz's natural leadership qualities face a significant test as he attempts to revive Bangladesh's flagging ODI fortunes. The new captain takes over just as his team has sunk to its lowest ICC ranking in 19 years, reports https://www.espncricinfo.com.

Mehidy's first assignment will be in Sri Lanka where Bangladesh play their hosts in three ODIs from July 8. He has said that he is targeting a series win in a country where Bangladesh has won just four out of 36 ODIs.

Bangladesh will be playing 50-over cricket for the first time since the Champions Trophy in February this year, where they made a swift exit after defeats to India and New Zealand.

"We want to win our first ODI series in Sri Lanka," Mehidy said at the pre-departure press conference on Friday. "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 used to playing 15-20 every year usually."

Mehidy has previous experience of leading Bangladesh in the 3-0 ODI series defeat against West Indies in December, where he was deputising for Najmul Hossain Shanto, whom he has replaced this time permanently.

"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. I will try to get the team to a good position in 12 months."

Bangladesh are scheduled to play 23 ODIs during this period. Mehidy has been one of their standout performers, with his batting improvements highlighted since the 2023 World Cup.

He has also been a steady operator with his offspin, but beyond those tangible details. Bangladesh are looking to his strong temperament to tide them through this tough time. His track record in leadership positions and his ability to fight back from adversity are good signs.

Mehidy led particularly well at the age-group level. He is the most experienced Under-19 captain of all time, with a win percentage of 62.5 in Youth ODIs.

Mehidy led Bangladesh to their first appearance in the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup in 2016, also winning the Player-of-the-Tournament award.

He went from cricket for boys to men in the same year, taking 19 wickets in his debut Test series against England.

Mehidy settled into the senior team quickly and gained a reputation as a fast learner and an avid listener.

"I have learned a lot from my captains in the past," he said. "I will use that knowledge as the ODI captain. I have always followed how they took their decisions strongly. A captain has to take strong decisions in tough situations. You might not get a second chance. How you take the decision, is an important thing.

"I will help the younger players just like our senior players used to help us when we were starting our careers. It is now time for us to take the responsibility.

I have gained a lot of experience playing for eight or nine years. Those in the dressing room must not feel he is alone, he should feel that I have others with me."

Mehidy already has a high point as Bangladesh captain - a stirring Test match win over West Indies in Jamaica last November. Many of his team members were down with flu and others were battling poor form but they all rallied together to draw the series 1-1.

Mehidy was battered by bouncers and verbals in both Tests, but he fought hard against West Indies' fast bowlers. It was a short stint but it gave a window into Mehidy's style of leadership.

"The captain is responsible for the team result but he also has to perform himself," he said. "We are giving priority to the team result.

We want to play together, and take Bangladesh to a better stage. We used to be a very good team, and I hope we can go back there again."

Mehidy has been a successful top- and middle-order inclusion in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, but he is open to a change if it suits the team better.

"Runs from the top-order batters makes life easier for the middle and lower order. I want my top-order batters to do well in ODIs. It doesn't matter whether I get to bat or not, the team must win regardless.

I got three fifties batting at No 4. I think there are scoring opportunities if I bat up the order. My bowling is very important so if I bat too high up the order it might affect my bowling. I want to bat in a position that benefits the team and me."

BSS adds:the Bangladesh national cricket team reached Sri Lanka on Friday, divided into two groups, for a full bilateral series, which will kick off with a two-match Test series.

The first group, consisted of 10 cricketers and other support staff left the country on Thursday while second group arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday.

A total of 28-member Bangladesh contingent consisted of 16 players and 12 coaching and support staff.

Bangladesh will start their practice session today (Saturday) before facing off Sri Lanka in the first Test, starting on June 17 at Galle.

The second and final Test will be held in Colombo from June 25. The Test series will be followed by three-match ODI series and as many T20 Internationals.

Bangladesh are yet to announce the squad for the ODI and T20 series but the BCB named a new ODI captain in Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, however, will continue to lead the Test team.

Bangladesh Test Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Kumer Das, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Syed Khaled Ahmed.