The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Saturday, April 4, that Mehidy Hasan Miraz will remain in charge of the ODI team until 2027, extending his leadership tenure beyond the immediate cycle. In a separate decision, the board also confirmed that Litton Das will captain the Bangladesh T20I side up to the 2028 ICC T20 World Cup, reflecting the organisation’s confidence in his influence on the team’s setup over the last year.
Explaining the timing and rationale behind the captains’ extensions, BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedeen Fahim said the board wanted leadership to be stable and long-term. “Since the term of our T20 captain concluded with the 2026 T20 World Cup, the current T20 captain and vice-captain will carry on until the next T20 World Cup in 2028. At the same time, the ODI captain’s stint is also reaching its conclusion. That is why we feel it is essential that the captains work without interruption and operate with a long-range plan,” Fahim said after a meeting of the board.
Fahim added that Mehidy’s continued role was linked to his work over the past year and the proximity of the upcoming World Cup. “Mehidy Hasan Miraz has already been leading the side for roughly a year. With the World Cup getting closer, we believed that giving him this opportunity would help him organise and build the team even further. In my view, Miraz has been doing well and contributing strongly. After taking everything into account, the decision has been taken to provide a long-term tenure so the captains can meaningfully shape and manage the team,” he said.
The announcement came after the fourth board meeting of the current administration, held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. During the same session, the BCB also moved to enhance its coaching resources, bringing in former left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique as a spin-bowling consultant on a one-year arrangement.
“For now, it’s a one-year contract. We feel, based on the performance we’ve seen from Mohammad Rafique—particularly his bowling—and considering the tournaments he has been involved in recently, many of us believe he is not ready to retire just yet,” Nazmul Fahim said.
He further highlighted Rafique’s mindset and approach in match conditions, while explaining how the consultant role could benefit bowlers at different stages of development. “Even at this age, his intent and attitude during regular games are impressive. If he can work properly with our junior, intermediate, or even senior-level spin bowlers, and they can learn from his tips, it will be very beneficial for us,” Fahim explained.
Fahim also pointed to a gap in specialised spin coaching within the country. “To be honest, if we do the arithmetic, we have around eight to ten pace-bowling coaches. But when we look back, we can’t even find three spin-bowling coaches in the country. That situation is extremely worrying. We need to grow our own spin coaching capacity. Rafique is close to being a ready-made option who can serve that purpose immediately.”
He added that the board could broaden the specialist group later while referencing earlier discussions about staffing needs. “In addition, we may identify two or four more people in the future who can work in this area. Previously, the BCB made a decision in parliament acknowledging that we lack enough specialised staff. This is very necessary. With that in mind, Rafique has been included, and later we will keep working and investigating ways to strengthen this area further,” he said.
Alongside the coaching update, the board approved the newly elected selection panel, led by former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar Sumon. The BCB also initiated work on a new HR policy, while a pension plan for umpires and players was discussed during the meeting.
Other matters considered by the board included the possibility of bringing back a players’ awards night and exploring overseas scholarship opportunities for sports journalists. The BCB also plans to release a sports journal every three months and stated that it is willing to assist the Bangladesh government with any investigations into irregularities.
