Champions Trophy: Mehidy Hasan Miraz Appointed as Bangladesh Vice-Captain

Synopsis

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has appointed Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the vice-captain for the men's cricket team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE. Mehidy, a consistent allrounder, will support Najmul Hossain Shanto as they aim for success in the tournament starting February 19.

Key Takeaways

Mehidy Hasan Miraz is the new vice-captain for Bangladesh.
The ICC Champions Trophy starts on February 19.
Bangladesh aims to perform better than their 2017 semi-final showing.
Mehidy has played 103 ODIs and has captained the team recently.
Training camps are being held in Dubai before the tournament.

Dhaka, Feb 13 (NationPress) The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially named Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the vice-captain of the Bangladesh men's cricket team in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE beginning February 19. The 27-year-old allrounder, recognized for his consistent performances across formats, will assist Najmul Hossain Shanto as the deputy leader during this prestigious tournament.

Mehidy has previously taken on captaincy duties in Shanto's absence during their recent tour of the West Indies, thus earning recognition for his leadership by the BCB. With 103 ODIs to his name, the cricketer from Khulna has solidified his role as a vital player in the Bangladesh squad while also proving to be a dependable leader when needed.

The BCB's announcement highlighted, "The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has designated Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the vice-captain for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 27-year-old allrounder has competed in 103 ODIs for Bangladesh and has recently captained the team during their West Indies tour while Najmul Hossain Shanto was sidelined due to injury," stated a release from the board on Thursday.

Mehidy's elevation follows an impressive 2024 ODI season where he scored 308 runs in four innings, averaging 38.12, which included three half-centuries. His prowess was not limited to batting; he also claimed eight wickets, demonstrating his all-round capabilities.

Throughout his ODI career, Mehidy has accumulated 1599 runs at an average of 25.38, featuring two centuries and six fifties, alongside taking 110 wickets with a personal best of 4/25.

As part of their preparations for the Champions Trophy, bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed will head to Dubai to train with the squad. They will stay with the team until their opening match against India on February 20 before returning home. Their inclusion in training is anticipated to bolster the bowling options and assist the team in getting accustomed to conditions in the UAE.

Bangladesh has been placed in Group A of the eight-team tournament, alongside India, New Zealand, and co-hosts Pakistan. Following their initial match against India in Dubai, they will take on New Zealand on February 24 and wrap up their group-stage fixtures against Pakistan on February 27.

After reaching the semi-finals in the last edition in 2017, where they faced a significant nine-wicket defeat against India, the Tigers are eager to advance further this time.