Bangladesh have appointed new captain in ODIs
2025.06.13
The BCB’s decision to appoint a new ODI captain signals a long-term vision, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup in focus.
The selection of a new skipper for the national ODI squad by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is a major step ahead of a busy cricketing season. The board’s strategic reorganization of leadership positions across formats coincides with the decision. With an eye toward long-term stability, the BCB has given the reigns of the 50-over format to a young leader, while Najmul Hossain Shanto continues to oversee the Test team.
For the next 12 months, a star all-rounder will captain Bangladesh’s ODI team.
Bangladesh’s new ODI skipper for the next 12 months is ace all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who will take the field in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka next month. With the 26-year-old taking Shanto’s post as Test captain and Litton Das continuing to lead the T20I team, the national team now has a three-captain structure across all forms.
Mehidy has held leadership positions before. He had previously commanded Bangladesh in four Twenty23 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) when Shanto was sidelined, but the team lost all four games. Mehidy’s maturity on the field and all-around performances have maintained him in the leadership spotlight despite such outcomes. Mehidy is one of just four Bangladeshi players with 105 ODIs to date who have amassed 1000+ runs and claimed 100 wickets in the format.
Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, BCB’s new captain takes pleasure in his duty as captain.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind, the BCB’s choice to name Mehidy as ODI captain demonstrates a long-term outlook. Bangladesh has to move up into the top eight to guarantee automatic qualifying for the global championship, as they are presently positioned 10th in the ICC ODI rankings. Bangladesh has won four of its 13 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) since 2023 under Shanto’s captaincy, including a series triumph against Sri Lanka, but has also lost to Afghanistan and New Zealand.
Being given this duty by the board is a great honor for me. Any cricket player’s desire is to lead his nation, and I appreciate the board’s faith in me. I believe in this squad wholeheartedly. We possess the skill and conviction to play cricket without fear. In a formal statement, Mehidy stated, “I want us to play with confidence, without inhibition, and to keep giving our all for the nation.”
@Charith Rajapaksha
