Bangladesh ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said on Thursday that the appointment of former teammate Tamim Iqbal as head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ad-hoc committee brings a positive edge for the national side ahead of their upcoming series against New Zealand.
Tamim assumed charge of the BCB committee on 7 April after a period of administrative changes within the board. His elevation has created a unique situation for the current squad, as he only recently retired from international cricket and shared the field with several players, including Miraz, in domestic competitions as recently as last year.
Speaking at a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur, Miraz said Tamim’s recent playing experience would benefit the team by giving management a clearer understanding of players’ needs and expectations.
“Since we have played together, he understands us well,” Miraz said. “Because he has only recently retired, he knows what players require and what we are comfortable with. That is a positive thing for the team.”
Addressing concerns about off-field administrative changes affecting team focus, Miraz insisted that the squad remained fully concentrated on cricket.
He said the players had maintained strong preparation over the past few weeks despite the transition in leadership.
“As professional cricketers, we focus on performance. External matters do not affect our mindset,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tamim has already initiated changes in the board, including announcing improved salaries and match fees for domestic cricketers.
He also reportedly held informal discussions with national players to motivate them ahead of the international assignments.
Bangladesh will begin their three-match ODI series against New Zealand on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The remaining matches will also be played in Mirpur before the series moves to Chattogram for the final ODI, followed by a three-match T20 series.
