The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Monday that all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz will take over as captain of the 15-member Bangladesh squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting December 8 in St Kitts. This comes in the absence of regular skipper Najmul Hossain, who is still recovering from a groin injury.
Mehidy, who has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball, will lead the side for the first time in One-Day Internationals. His leadership comes as a significant opportunity for the all-rounder, who has played an integral role in Bangladesh’s limited-overs cricket over the years.
Injuries and Player Absences
Cricbuzz had previously reported that two key players, Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain, were unlikely to feature in the upcoming ODIs due to their respective injuries. Mushfiqur is recovering from a minor issue, while Najmul has yet to fully recover from his groin injury, making him unavailable for the series against the West Indies.
In addition to these absences, Towhid Hridoy’s participation in the series is also uncertain due to a groin injury he sustained while playing football. The BCB released a statement confirming Hridoy’s injury, stating that he had complained of pain in his right groin region, and medical investigations revealed a condition that required rest. The BCB’s sports physician, Monzur Hossain Chowdhury, added that Hridoy’s condition would be reassessed in two weeks to determine his readiness for international cricket.
With these injuries, the Bangladesh squad for the West Indies series has seen some changes. The absence of Najmul and Hridoy has left the team management with the responsibility of naming a new captain, and Mehidy Hasan has stepped up to the task.
New Faces in the Squad
The BCB has made a few additions to the ODI squad, calling up several players who had been away from the format for a while. Wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das, who has been in good form recently, has been included in the squad, alongside players like Parvez Hossain Emon, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Hasan Mahmud, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Parvez Hossain Emon, who was selected for an ODI series against the West Indies in 2021 but did not get a chance to play, will be looking to make his mark this time around.
The squad will also see the return of experienced players such as Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah, who have been crucial to Bangladesh’s middle order in the past. Jaker Ali Anik and Rishad Hossain, both promising talents, have also been named to the squad for the series.
Notable Exclusions
Several notable players have been excluded from the ODI squad for this series. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has opted to take leave from the series to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple’s first child in December. His absence will be a blow to the Bangladesh bowling attack, as Mustafizur has been one of the most reliable fast bowlers in Bangladesh’s history.
Zakir Hasan, who featured in the recent ODI series against Afghanistan in the UAE, has been dropped from the squad due to poor form. The BCB confirmed Zakir’s exclusion, noting that his recent performances did not meet the required standard for selection.
The Squad for the West Indies Series
The full 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies is as follows:
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain)
- Liton Kumer Das (Wicketkeeper)
- Tanzid Hasan Tamim
- Soumya Sarkar
- Parvez Hossain Emon
- Md Mahmudullah
- Jaker Ali Anik
- Afif Hossain Dhrubo
- Rishad Hossain
- Nasum Ahmed
- Taskin Ahmed
- Hasan Mahmud
- Shoriful Islam
- Tanzim Hasan Sakib
- Nahid Rana
This squad features a mix of experienced players and promising new talents, with the leadership of Mehidy Hasan offering fresh hope for Bangladesh’s campaign in the series. The team will look to recover from recent setbacks and build momentum in the lead-up to major international events.
What to Expect from the Series
With Mehidy Hasan stepping up as captain, Bangladesh will aim to put up a strong performance against the West Indies, a team that has been inconsistent in recent months. The West Indies, known for their explosive batting and competitive nature, will certainly pose a challenge for Bangladesh, but the hosts have the advantage of home conditions.
The series will also be an important opportunity for players like Liton Das, Afif Hossain, and Hasan Mahmud to solidify their places in the national team ahead of the next international commitments.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Mehidy Hasan as he leads the side for the first time in ODIs. His leadership and ability to manage the team during this crucial phase will be key to Bangladesh’s success against the West Indies.