Miraz relying on seniors’ experience at 2023 World Cup

Bangladesh spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz returned to the country on Wednesday after being adjudged player-of-the-match in first two ODIs as the Tigers' swept the West Indies 3-0 in the ODI series.

The ODI series win will help the Tigers gear up for the Zimbabwe series, especially given they lost both the Test and T20I series in the Caribbean. Miraz said that they would have to make the most of the few days with their families to refresh themselves.

"We're professional players and that's how it's supposed to be," he said of the Zimbabwe tour coming so soon after the end of the West Indies soujourn. "It's important to mentally refresh ourselves and enjoy the time with our families."

He talked about the team's comfort in ODIs and said that if they could follow the template they had in ODIs, the seniors could make their experience count.

"The [50-over] 2023 World Cup [in India] is not far off. The way we are going forward, if we follow the same process, we can do well in the World Cup. Since we have a lot of experienced players. Tamim bhai, Shakib bhai, Mushi and Riyad bhai are very experienced. Even Mustafizur, Liton and I have played a World Cup. Those of us who are there have almost five years of international experience. So we can go to the World Cup with experience on our side," Miraz said when asked to comment on the World Cup dream.

Asked if the youngers players had the responsibility to do something for the seniors in what might be their last World Cup, Miraz said: "It's everyone's responsibility. If we do something good in the World Cup, it will be good for us and the country. So as long as they [seniors] are there, we will try to achieve something big."

Tigers acceptance in ICC had positive impact on FTP, says BCB chief

Bangladesh cricket’s strong acceptance in the International Cricket Council had a significantly positive impact on the Future Tours Program, claimed Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan.

Bangladesh cricket team have 34 Tests, 59 ODIs and 51 T20Is lined up for the forthcoming ICC FTP schedule from 2023 till 2027.

Bangladesh cricket team are only behind England (42), Australia (41) and India (38) in terms of number of Tests to be played in the new FTP cycle.

They also have the highest number of ODI assignments listed in the new FTP and the total number of matches in three formats stand at 144, only behind the West Indies who will play 146 matches.

“Of course, Bangladesh is now considered an important country in the ICC. But to be honest it is not the credit of the board but the performance of the team. Other countries are showing interest in playing against us because the team are performing well,” said Nazmul following the BCB Annual General Meeting 2022 in Dhaka Tuesday.

In the 2023-2027 cycle, only the Windies would get more matches than Bangladesh.

The Caribbean side in the cycle are set to play 146 international matches – across formats - while Bangladesh will play 144 games.

In terms of Test matches Bangladesh will play four more games – 34 - compared to the ongoing FTP which will end this season.

The Test matches involve tour of South Africa and Australia while England and Pakistan will play Bangladesh at home.

In the five-year window England [42], Australia [41] and India [38] will play more Tests than Bangladesh.

In ODIs Bangladesh will play the most - 59 - following by Sri Lanka with 58 while all the other teams will play less than 50 ODIs.

“Before it was that the other teams wanted to come and play in Bangladesh but not host us. They had the tendency that no one will come to see Bangladesh play when hosted. The perception has now changed which is a good thing. Playing more away from home will let our team gain the experience,” said the BCB chief.