On February 13 (Thursday), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially announced Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the vice-captain of the national squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He is set to serve as the deputy for Najmul Hossain Shanto as Bangladesh starts its tournament campaign against India on February 20 (Thursday).
Mehidy Hasan Miraz has so far played 103 ODIs for Bangladesh and also possesses leadership experience. The 27-year-old previously led the team against West Indies in the absence of their regular captain Najmul Shanto, who had to miss out on the entire tour due to a groin injury.
A Glimpse of Mehidy’s Leadership Role and Performance in BPL 2025
The Khulna Tigers, under Mehidy’s captaincy, reached playoffs in the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025, Although he led the team to win the Eliminator round against Rangpur Riders, they lost Qualifier-2 to Chittagong Kings. This ruined their chances of reaching their second BPL final.
Despite Mehidy’s team qualifying into the playoffs and concluding in third place in BPL 2025 as a semi-finalist, he was honored with the Player of the Tournament award as he showcased an astounding all-round performance with both bat and ball. Mehidy scored 355 runs and took 13 wickets in 14 matches.
Achievements and Career Highlights of Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Undoubtedly, Mehidy Hasan Miraz is one of those Bangladeshi star players of the national team, holding a wonderful track record and achievements in his career. Here are some of the highlights of Mehidy:
- Having played 9 ODIs in 2024, Mehidy has accumulated 305 runs in 8 innings averaging at 38.12.
- Also, he greatly dominated three half-centuries in the matches including his best score of 77.
- Being a flawless off-spinner, Mehidy seamlessly bagged eight wickets in 9 ODI innings of the previous year.
- The 27-year-old Bangladeshi cricketer has done justice to the so-called term ‘All-Rounder.’ With his stellar performances with both bat and ball, he has been keeping everyone amazed and, at the same time, carrying out his vice-captaincy responsibilities at every step.
- 1,599 runs till this date of his ODI Career, Mehidy accomplished six half-centuries and two centuries to his name, with an average of 25.38.
- The best bowling figures of Mehidy Miraz to date are 4/25, tallying upto 110 wickets in 100 innings.
Najmul Shanto is confident about Becoming Champions!
As the Champions Trophy 2025 is yet to begin, Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto has challenged his rival teams. The captain of the Bangladesh Cricket National squad declares that they are heading to the Champions Trophy tournament to become champions. Moreover, they are quite confident about being able to create a great impact this time and win their first-ever ICC event.
Words of Najmul Shanto about the Champions Trophy
The one who is most confident about the Bangladesh team’s victory is the captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto. He believes that he and his team can perform well and surprise everybody in the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy.
His motive is not just to win the tournament but also to gain honor and respect for his nation, as this winning would mark their first-ever victory in an ICC event.
The Champions Trophy will be hosted in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting from 19th February 2025.
Here is what Najmul Hossain Shanto spoke exactly:
“Definitely! We are heading to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to become champions. However, all eight teams are eligible to become the champions. All teams have quality players and have put in their efforts. And, I believe me and our team also have the ability of attaining the Champion’s title,” the 26-year-old said.
Upon speaking this, he took a pause and then added:
“Of course! Every team genuinely wants to become champions, and that is why we all are here, and they all believe in their capabilities, too,” Najmul added.
Adding to this, Najmul Hossain Shanto leaves it to God (as Muslims worship ‘Allah’), he says:
“No! We are not aware of what is going to happen and what Allah has written in our fate. But all that we are going to do is work hard and perform our best. I believe in god and our goal, so I am confident that we are going to become the Champions this time,” the Bangladesh captain said.
Conclusion
Despite there being no place for Bangladesh’s former skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, the current captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, sees a great balance in the team. He trusts the capability of the 15-player squad to perform well in Champions Trophy 2025, which has a good blend of youth and experience.
Najmul Hossain Shanto has stated that anyone in the squad is capable of winning the match single-handedly. And, earlier they did not have the right pace bowlers, but now he is proud that the squad consists of the strongest fast bowlers. In addition, the Bangladesh team lacked wrist spin bowlers, but now they do have, which marks the reason for Najmul Shanto’s winning confidence.
