Bangladesh Appoints Vice-Captains Ahead of Ireland Series

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made changes to its leadership structure across all formats of international cricket. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Saif Hassan have been appointed as vice-captains in Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is), respectively. The announcement comes as Bangladesh prepares for upcoming matches against Ireland in both Tests and T20Is.

In Test cricket, Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been named deputy to Najmul Hossain Shanto. Shanto will continue as captain of the red-ball side at least until the end of the current 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Mehidy’s appointment as vice-captain highlights his growing role as a senior player in the team and a key contributor in the spin department.

In ODIs, the roles are reversed. Najmul Hossain Shanto will serve as Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s deputy, after Mehidy was appointed ODI captain in June this year for a one-year term. This arrangement ensures experienced leadership in both Test and ODI formats, providing stability for the Bangladesh side as they look to improve their performances across formats.

In T20Is, Saif Hassan has been promoted to vice-captain following a strong year in the shortest format. In 13 T20Is this year, Saif scored 344 runs at an average of 34.40, with a strike rate of 131.80, including three half-centuries. The T20I captaincy remains with Das, who took charge of the team in May and will lead Bangladesh into the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh enters this leadership reshuffle on the back of a convincing win over Ireland. In the first Test, they defeated Ireland by an innings and 47 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The victory was powered by centuries from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (171) and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (100). Hasan Murad also contributed with a four-wicket haul, helping to secure the innings victory.

Ireland showed resistance in their second innings, with contributions from Andy McBrine (52) and Andy Balbirnie (38), along with some lower-order partnerships. However, they could not overcome Bangladesh’s strong first-innings total and disciplined bowling attack. The hosts dominated the match from the beginning and controlled the game effectively throughout.

Following the Test series, Bangladesh will face Ireland in a three-match T20I series starting on 27 November. The vice-captain appointments are expected to provide added leadership and guidance as the team competes in different formats. With experienced players leading the side, Bangladesh aims to build momentum and continue their winning performances in both Tests and T20Is.

The BCB’s decision to appoint Mehidy Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Saif Hassan as vice-captains demonstrates a strategic approach to strengthen leadership across all formats. The reshuffle ensures balance in the team’s leadership, combining experience and talent. With strong performances in recent matches, including the dominant first Test win over Ireland, Bangladesh looks well-prepared for the upcoming T20I series and beyond.