Miraz named Bangladesh ODI captain

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today  announced allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the captain of the Bangladesh ODI  team for the next one year.

Miraz, 27, will take over from Najmul Hossain Shanto and begin his full-time  captaincy tenure with the upcoming three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka next  month.

He has previously led the national side in four ODIs in Shanto's absence.

"The Board felt that Miraz's consistent performances with the bat and ball,  his ability to fight and inspire the team and his energetic presence on and  off the field, make him an ideal candidate to lead the ODI side during a  transitional time," Chairman of BCB's Cricket Operations Committee Nazmul  Abedeen said here today.

"We believe he has the temperament and maturity to take Bangladesh forward in  this format."

"We take this opportunity to thank Shanto for the positivity and character he  has demonstrated as captain. He remains very much a part of the leadership  group and we know how important his batting is to the team."

With 1617 runs and 110 wickets in 105 ODIs, Miraz is currently ranked number  four among allrounders in the ICC ODI rankings, the highest for any  Bangladeshi player. 

He joins an elite group of Bangladeshi cricketers, that includes Mohammad  Rafique, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan, to have achieved the 1000  runs and 100 wickets double in ODIs.

Reacting to his appointment, Miraz said: "It is a huge honour for me to be  entrusted with this responsibility by the Board. Leading the country is a  dream for any cricketer and I am grateful for the confidence the Board has  shown in me.

"I have every faith in this team. We have the talent and the belief to play  fearless cricket. I want us to perform with confidence, play without  inhibition and continue giving our best for the country."