|| CF DESK ||

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who is not Bangladesh’s regular Test captain, has been handed the leadership role in the absence of Najmul Hossain Shanto, who is sidelined due to injury.

Miraz will lead the team in the first Test against West Indies, which begins tonight at 8 PM (Bangladesh time) in Antigua. This match holds special significance for Miraz as it marks his 50th Test appearance.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Miraz shared his excitement, stating, "It feels great. Reaching 50 Test matches is a big achievement for me and for the country. My goal is to make this milestone memorable."

West Indies have struggled at home in recent years, winning only five of their last 17 Tests, losing eight, and drawing four. However, three of those five wins have come against Bangladesh. The Tigers were whitewashed in their last series against the Windies in 2022.

"Our aim is to play good cricket. When we last played here, we didn’t perform well in Tests. Over the past four years, we’ve played two Tests here but couldn’t win. This time, we are focused on improving and ensuring everyone performs." Miraz said.

The venue, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, hasn’t been kind to Bangladesh. The team has lost all six Tests played here. Miraz, however, remains optimistic.

"We haven’t played good Test cricket in Antigua before, but this time is different. We’ve had around 10 days of practice, including a warm-up match. The players are well-prepared, and I’m confident we can perform better as a team."