Mehidy Hasan confident Bangladesh can navigate transition phase

All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz believes there is enough experience in the Bangladesh dressing room to manage the transition period following the departure of several senior players.

The recent retirement of Mahmudullah from ODIs marks the end of an era in the 50-over format, as it effectively concludes the ODI journeys of the legendary 'Fab Five' – Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah.

Although Shakib is yet to officially retire from ODIs, having already stepped away from Tests and T20Is, and Mashrafe hasn't formally announced his retirement from Tests and ODIs either, their return to the national setup appears highly unlikely given their age. Many believe Bangladesh are now entering a transition phase, particularly in the ODI format, due to the void left by the senior core. However, Mehidy has a different perspective.

"Right now, there are six to seven players in the team who have been playing international cricket for 7-10 years. They can't be called new anymore," Mehidy, who is expected to take on a senior role in the dressing room, told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday (March 15).

"We must strike a balance between those who have played for 8-9 years and the newer players with 2-3 years of experience. A well-thought-out plan and proper coordination will be key," he added. "Mushfiq[ur] bhai and the previous generation served for 7-8 years and took the team to a certain level. We have also been playing for a long time now. Our goal should be to take Bangladesh cricket to the next stage," he said.

"The previous generation fulfilled their responsibilities and took Bangladesh cricket to a certain level. Our job now is to take it even further," he added.

Mehidy also emphasized the importance of long-term planning, with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. "We still haven't won a big tournament. If we can secure a trophy, it will be great for our generation.

"It's a process. Decisions must be made now, and we need to stay committed. With two to two-and-a-half years left until the World Cup, we must start setting up the team right away. Players should be given consistent chances. If we start preparing just two or three months before the tournament, it will be tough," he warned.