Batters must step up in ODI series against West Indies, says Miraz

With Bangladesh heading into the ODI series against the West Indies on Sunday, acting captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz has issued a rallying call for his team, urging the batters to take responsibility.

In a video message released by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Miraz stated, "Batters need to step up. Cricket revolves around runs. When you score, it makes things much easier for the bowlers."

This ODI series holds particular significance as several key players, including regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, are sidelined with injuries.

The Tigers do come into the series with an impressive ODI record against the West Indies, having gone unbeaten in their last 11 encounters.

However, Miraz acknowledges that this series presents new challenges.

"I think this series is undoubtedly challenging for our team because several players are missing," Miraz said. "But this is an opportunity for others. I hope those who get the chance can make this series memorable."

The absence of experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan, whose international career remains uncertain, adds to the pressure.

Despite these setbacks, Miraz is determined to lead by example. "Every player's performance is crucial. As captain, my role is to support and motivate my teammates and find ways to maximise their performance. Personally, I also aim to contribute and create a positive environment within the team," he added.

Recalling past successes, Miraz highlighted Bangladesh's consistency in ODI series against the West Indies.

In 2018, the Tigers secured a series victory on Caribbean soil, scoring over 300 runs in the final match.

Their dominance continued in 2022, when they won another ODI series in the West Indies.

"When we've played ODIs here before, we won most of the matches and series," Miraz noted.

"In 2018, we played the last match on this ground, scoring over 300 runs and winning the series. In 2022, we returned and won the series again."

However, Miraz insists on staying in the present. "What we did or didn't do in the past doesn't matter here. This is a great opportunity for us. We'll stand by each other. When we support each other and play as a team, good results will come."

Miraz also spoke about the importance of adapting to the conditions and focusing on key aspects of the game. With batting being a priority, he emphasised the need for players to build big innings.

"We've been planning on how to play big innings. The pitch looks promising, and we'll strategise accordingly to give our best," he said. He also highlighted how crucial runs are for easing the pressure on bowlers. "Scoring runs makes things much easier for the bowlers."

The first match of the three-game series begins today at 8 PM Bangladesh time.