Miraz is ready to take over whenever Shakib moves out: Hathurusingha
Shakib has been an irreplaceable figure in Bangladesh cricket, delivering match-winning performances with both bat and ball for over a decade. However, as the cricketing world braces for the inevitable retirement of one of the game's greats, head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes Mehidy Hasan Miraz is shaping up to be the heir to Shakib’s all-around throne.
Khan Mutasim Billah LifeEditor
Posted - 2024-09-17T19:05:59+06:00
Updated - 2024-09-17T19:41:16+06:00
As Shakib Al Hasan’s illustrious career gradually approaches its twilight, the question that lingers in the minds of many Bangladeshi cricket fans is whether Mehidy Hasan Miraz can step into his shoes. Following Miraz's all-round heroics in the recent Test series against Pakistan, more comparisons are being drawn between the two, with some even suggesting that Miraz could be the future of Bangladesh’s all-round cricketing legacy.
Shakib has been an irreplaceable figure in Bangladesh cricket, delivering match-winning performances with both bat and ball for over a decade. However, as the cricketing world braces for the inevitable retirement of one of the game's greats, head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes Mehidy Hasan Miraz is shaping up to be the heir to Shakib’s all-around throne.
Ahead of Bangladesh’s first Test against India in Chennai, Hathurusingha was full of praise for Shakib. He said, "He always plays a huge part in Bangladesh cricket whenever he is available. He obviously gives us the luxury to balance the team the way we want. The way we want to play an extra bowler or extra batsman because of his all-round capability. So he gives that adaptability as well as huge experience.”
Hathurusingha also highlighted Shakib’s recent form, mentioning, "He is probably one of the longest-running international players going around and he's coming from playing County matches. We have seen him in good shape. So he brings a lot in the team not only his skill set but otherwise as well."
When asked about Miraz’s role, Hathurusingha expressed optimism, "Miraz, I would say he is the most improved Bangladesh cricketer for the last five to six years. He is ready to take over whenever Shakib moves out. I think he has developed his batting and obviously his bowling has always been, his strength, his No.1. Now I think he has improved his batting as well and on the field, he is a gun fielder."