The personalities of cricketers are just as important as runs and wickets – and a recent change of leadership for Bangladesh shows this too. Bangladesh has made a quiet shift in its hierarchy as it prepares to face an increasingly busy schedule that includes the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and a full World Test Championship Calendar. The three players who will be the vice-captains for Bangladesh in Test cricket (red ball), ODI (white ball) and T20 (short form) formats respectively, are Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Saif Hassan; a deliberate plan by the Tigers to bring together the best of both worlds – the knowledge of experienced players and the youthful energy.
Under Shanto’s leadership, which is expected to continue through the 2025-27 WTC Cycle as Test team captain, Bangladesh asserted its dominance over the test format with an innings-and-47-run victory over Ireland. Miraz was given a short time as the ODI captain; however, he did achieve success in that role. In addition, Saif’s performances in T20 cricket (he has achieved four fifty-plus scores in his first eighteen outings) indicate he can make a significant contribution on the biggest stages of international competition. The decision to rotate these deputy captains is less about administering the roles than it is about creating a strategic advantage through balance, succession planning, and flexibility.
Mehidy’s Test Deputy Role: Stability and Spin Power
Awarding Mehidy Hasan Miraz the vice-captaincy is more than an honorific gesture. The off-spinner has developed into a key component of Bangladesh’s Test match strategy, primarily at home, which suits his bowling style and the way the pitches often turn. As such, with Shanto as captain, the two will be creating an on-the-field dual-leadership model with Shanto managing the team through the top order and making decisions about the best places to position his bowlers, while Miraz will have control over when he thinks it is time to make bowling changes and when to apply pressure in pressure overs. Historically, Bangladesh has performed well when its spin captains were able to take charge of their teams (e.g., Shakib and Mahmudullah rotated the attack during the 2017-18 home series). Miraz continues this approach by combining batting insight with bowling knowledge will help the Tigers to better manage their resources and improve their chances of success.
Shanto as ODI Deputy: A Role Reversal With Purpose
The ODI format reverses this hierarchy, with Shanto being Miraz’s deputy. It is a sign of Miraz having the ability to implement a white ball strategy, which is focused on fielding rotation, strike rate management, and the implementation of a plan in the final overs of the game. Shanto will provide continuity and advice to the other young players; historically, Bangladesh have had issues with stability during white ball captaincy changes, and by pairing these two together, it may help to minimize the amount of instability and allow both to use their analytical skills (Shanto) along with their tactical experience (Miraz).
Saif Hassan in T20Is: Youthful Energy Meets Strategic Deputization
Saif Hassan’s appointment as Litton Das’s T20I deputy is a forward-thinking decision. Saif has shown that he can be composed under pressure, as evidenced by four fifty-standings in eighteen games. Perhaps more importantly, Saif represents a next generation of leaders who have been conditioned to make on-the-fly decisions at all times, including during the game through batting order changes or situational bowling decisions. By formally establishing him as a leader, Bangladesh is using his success to develop intuitive thinking about tactics for when the action becomes chaotic in T20 cricket, something learned through previous unpredictable international events at the ICC.
If these deputies are able to transform their authority into game-changing decisions within the game, Bangladesh may develop a level of leadership that has not been seen in previous generations, developing a team culture that is both strong and flexible.
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