Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a prominent name in Bangladesh’s cricketing history, has left an indelible mark with his exceptional skills and versatile performance. As of 25th October 1997, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a seasoned all-rounder, has been a vital asset to the Bangladesh national cricket team, donning the jersey number 53 for One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
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A right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler, Miraz has shown his mettle in both the Test and ODI formats, making significant contributions to the team’s successes.
Early and Personal Life
Miraz’s journey in cricket began at an early age. Born in Khulna, Bangladesh, he started playing the sport at the tender age of 8. His journey from the streets of Khulna to the international cricketing arena has been nothing short of remarkable.
In March 2019, Miraz and several members of the Bangladesh test team were about to enter the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand when a tragic terrorist attack began. The entire team was deeply affected by this harrowing experience. In the wake of the terror attack, Miraz decided to marry his long-time fiancée, Rabeya Akhter Priti, on 21st March 2019. This decision was a way to overcome the shock and the trauma inflicted by the tragic events in New Zealand.
The 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup
Miraz’s journey to international cricket began with the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In December 2015, he was named the captain of Bangladesh’s squad for the tournament. Although he primarily played as an opener in most of his early career, he showcased his versatility by performing as a lower-middle-order bowling all-rounder in the tournament.
Despite the challenge of playing in a different role, Miraz’s performance was exceptional. He led his team into the semi-finals, ultimately finishing in third place after defeating Sri Lanka. His all-round performance earned him the title of Player of the Tournament, where he scored 242 runs and took 12 wickets in the six matches he played.
Domestic Career
Miraz’s journey into the cricketing world continued to evolve. He made his first-class debut against the Rajshahi Division cricket team on 16th February 2015. In that debut match, he showcased his capabilities by scoring 51 runs and taking four wickets.
His entry into Twenty20 (T20) cricket took place on 9th November 2016 when he represented the Rajshahi Kings in the 2016–17 Bangladesh Premier League. His talent did not go unnoticed, and he continued to shine on the domestic circuit.
In October 2018, Miraz was named in the squad for the Rajshahi Kings team for the 2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League. In November 2019, he took the field for the Khulna Tigers in the 2019–20 Bangladesh Premier League, further solidifying his presence in the domestic T20 arena.
In the BPL 2022, he joined the ranks of the Chatogram Challengers, continuing to demonstrate his prowess on the domestic T20 stage.
International Career
Test Cricket
Miraz had a dream debut series as a Test player. His remarkable performance in the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup hinted at the exceptional talent he possessed. He made his Test debut against England on 20th October 2016, marking the beginning of an illustrious Test career.
In a remarkable debut match, Miraz exhibited his versatility as an off-break bowler, opening the bowling in his maiden Test innings. He made an instant impact by claiming the wicket of Ben Duckett, another debutant in the same Test. Notably, he became the seventh and youngest Bangladeshi player to take a five-wicket haul on debut in a Test.
Miraz’s early success continued in his second Test match, where he became only the sixth bowler to take three five-fors in his first two Tests. He secured 19 wickets in the Test series and created history by becoming the ninth player overall and the first from Bangladesh to win the Player of the Series award in a debut Test series.
Although Miraz had a challenging series as a batsman, with only 5 runs in 4 innings, his potential as an all-rounder remained undeniable. Mushfiqur Rahim, then captain of the Bangladesh cricket team, praised the 19-year-old’s performance, foreseeing a bright future for him as a great all-rounder for Bangladesh. As a testament to his achievements, a new house was gifted to him by Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Miraz’s Test career also saw him achieve a significant milestone when he secured his first five-wicket haul away from home in Test cricket against West Indies at Sabina Park in July 2018. In November 2018, during the second Test against the West Indies, he reached another remarkable feat by recording the best match figures by a Bangladesh bowler in Tests, finishing with the match figures of 12–117.
On 4th February 2021, in the first Test match against the West Indies, Miraz showcased his batting prowess by scoring his maiden century in Test cricket, amassing 103 runs before being caught out off the bowling of Rahkeem Cornwall.
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One Day International (ODI)
Miraz’s entry into the One Day International (ODI) format was highly anticipated. He was named in Bangladesh’s ODI squad for their series against New Zealand in December 2016, although he did not play. However, in March 2017, he was included in the ODI squad for the series against Sri Lanka.
On 25th March 2017, Miraz made his ODI debut in the first match of the series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. In that game, he displayed his skill by picking up 2 wickets for just 43 runs in his 10 overs. His exceptional performance caught the eye of many, with observers noting that he didn’t resemble a bowler making his debut.
Miraz continued to make significant contributions to the ODI format. His 4-29 performance in the 3rd ODI against West Indies in 2018 played a crucial role in Bangladesh winning the series 2-1.
In April 2019, Miraz was named in Bangladesh’s squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Throughout the tournament, he proved his worth by taking 6 wickets and maintaining an impressive economy rate of 5.08, making him Bangladesh’s most economical bowler at the event.
Miraz’s remarkable performances catapulted him to the 4th rank in the ICC ODI bowlers ranking in January 2021, marking a significant achievement in his ODI career.
In February 2022, Miraz displayed his batting prowess once again, scoring 81 against Afghanistan* in Chattogram. This remarkable innings stands as the highest individual score in a successful ODI chase while batting at number 8 or lower.
On 7th December 2022, during a bilateral series against India, Miraz achieved a monumental feat by scoring his maiden century in an innings of *100 (83)**. His remarkable knock was instrumental in securing a series victory for Bangladesh. This remarkable achievement also made him the second No.8 batter to score an ODI century and jointly holds the record for the highest score by a No.8 batter in ODIs. He combined forces with Mahmudullah, who played a steady knock of 77 (96), forging a 148-run partnership and marking Bangladesh’s highest partnership against India for any wicket.
Acknowledgment
Miraz’s contributions in 2022 saw him becoming the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh across all formats, underlining his all-round prowess. His remarkable performances did not go unnoticed, and in December 2022, he was named in Wisden’s Men’s ODI Team Of The Year for 2022, solidifying his place among the best in the world.
Twenty20 International
Miraz’s versatility extends to the T20 format as well. In April 2017, he was named in Bangladesh’s Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their series against Sri Lanka. He made his T20I debut for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka on 6th April 2017.
In recognition of his talents, in April 2018, Miraz was among the ten cricketers to be awarded a central contract by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), highlighting his significance in the team.
Personal Details
- Full Name: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Born: 25th October 1997 (Age: 25)
- Height: 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
- Batting: Right-handed
- Bowling: Right-arm off-break
- Role: All-rounder
Career Statistics
Test
- Matches: 39
- Runs Scored: 1,114
- Batting Average: 20.91
- 100s/50s: 1/3
- Top Score: 103
- Balls Bowled: 6,924
- Wickets: 150
- Bowling Average: 33.84
- 5 Wickets in Innings: 8
- 10 Wickets in Match: 2
- Best Bowling: 7/58
ODI
- Matches: 84
- Runs Scored: 1,187
- Batting Average: 24.73
- 100s/50s: 2/4
- Top Score: 112*
- Balls Bowled: 3,777
- Wickets: 89
- Bowling Average: 33.35
- 5 Wickets in Innings: 0
- 10 Wickets in Match: 0
- Best Bowling: 4/25
T20I
- Matches: 20
- Runs Scored: 244
- Batting Average: 12.44
- 100s/50s: 0/0
- Top Score: 38*
- Balls Bowled: 216
- Wickets: 12
- Bowling Average: 80.01
- 5 Wickets in Innings: 0
- 10 Wickets in Match: 0
- Best Bowling: 2/31
First-Class (FC)
- Matches: 45
- Runs Scored: 1,677
- Batting Average: 25.85
- 100s/50s: 1/9
- Top Score: 103
- Balls Bowled: 10,966
- Wickets: 184
- Bowling Average: 29.50
- 5 Wickets in Innings: 14
- 10 Wickets in Match: 4
- Best Bowling: 7/24
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s cricketing journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His talent as a versatile all-rounder has consistently shone through in the Test, ODI, and T20 formats. He is not only a key player in the Bangladesh national cricket team but also a source of pride for his country. With many years ahead in his career, there’s no doubt that Miraz will continue to make strides in the world of cricket.
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