Miraz shrugs off off-field noise ahead of NZ series

Bangladesh ODI skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz has insisted that the team’s preparations for the upcoming series against New Zealand have not been affected by recent off-field developments in the country’s cricket.

Recently, Bangladesh cricket has gone through a turbulent time administratively, but Miraz maintained that the players have remained focused on their responsibilities.

“We have trained very well, and as professional cricketers, what happens outside doesn’t affect us mentally. Our job is to perform,” Miraz said at a press conference in Mirpur on the eve of the three-match ODI series against the Black Caps.

The captain expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparations, emphasising that their focus has been solely on cricket.

“In my opinion, the way we have trained over the last three weeks has been very good. We have never thought about what has happened outside,” he added.

Bangladesh have held separate preparation camps for white-ball and red-ball formats in recent weeks, as they gear up for the New Zealand ODIs and T20Is followed by a Test series against Pakistan next month. The ODI series begins tomorrow, with the first two games at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur and the final match in Chattogram.

Miraz also spoke about former national captain Tamim Iqbal, who was recently appointed president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) 11-member ad hoc committee following the dissolution of the previous board by the National Sports Council.

Having shared the dressing room with Tamim not long ago, Miraz believes his recent playing experience will be an advantage for the players.

“Since we have played together, he understands us very well. As he has only recently retired, he knows what we need and what we prefer. That is a positive for the players,” Miraz said.

He added that Tamim has already interacted with the players and offered encouragement.

“We spoke with the president, and he said the team is doing well. He motivated us and told us to continue playing good cricket the way we have been.”