Rebuild, resurrect, recalibrate - Mehidy has an unenviable task as ODI captain

Mehidy has the unenviable task of uniting the Bangladesh team at a time of great upheaval - not something that's new to Bangladesh captains.

Najmul Hossain Shanto was sacked as ODI captain in Mehidy's favour, and has also resigned as the Test captain. He said the decision to step down as Test captain wasn't "personal", but also said he wasn't sure "three captains in three formats" would be ideal. Shanto might be hurting, even if he hasn't said it. He had ambitions with both the Test and ODI teams but now will be expected to adjust under a different captain in ODIs.

Mehidy might have to remove all the eggshells strewn around the dressing room before figuring out a way to take the ODI team in his desired direction.

Where Mehidy chooses to bat in the ODI series against Sri Lanka will give an early glimpse into his mindset as captain. While a permanent fixture in the ODI side, he has been a floater in the batting line-up, even though he has learnt to pace his innings better whatever the position. He must now choose his batting position, or at least a role, to give the rest of the team a sense of stability.

Tanzid Hasan is one of Bangladesh's incumbent openers. But with Litton Das and Mohammad Naim back, there are questions around the second opener's spot.

Soumya Sarkar has been left out to work on his fitness, while Parvez Hossain Emon, part of the ODI squad, is still work in progress in this format.

Litton had been going through a lean patch before he was dropped for the Champions Trophy - he only has six runs in his last five innings. But his experience and seniority may give him the edge over Naim and Emon. Litton's keeping will also allow for a bit more balance in the line-up.

Shanto, meanwhile, is likely to return to his No. 3 role, despite opening in Bangladesh's last ODI and scoring 77.

Bangladesh's biggest challenge would be to rebuild their middle order. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah are retired, Shakib Al Hasan had planned Champions Trophy 2025 to be his international swansong, but his political connections have meant that his future remains uncertain. Bangladesh have a void in their middle order, one that is worth about 760 ODIs in experience. But there is promise.

Towhid Hridoy has played 35 ODIs, while Mehidy has made improvements to his white-ball batting. Jaker Ali has impressed in all three formats, but has played only seven ODIs. Shamim Hossain, a T20 basher, is the middle-order back-up. This is where Bangladesh perhaps could have looked towards Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan or Mosaddek Hossain.

Previous head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe lost patience with Afif but the left-hand batter remains a young and viable option. Nurul and Mosaddek have international experience plus List A numbers to back that up. Even the uncapped Irfan Sukkur has racked up impressive runs in the middle-order in the Dhaka Premier League in the last three years.

Bangladesh have had a massive dip in their spin attack since Shakib's last ODI in November 2023. They have averaged 65.69 in 15 matches and have taken just 23 wickets. Mehidy has taken nine wickets at 71.44, while Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed haven't stepped up from time to time. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam is still uncapped in ODIs. He had a difficult time in the T20Is against UAE in May, picking up just two wickets in two appearances at an economy of 8.37.

The bad news for Bangladesh is that they are playing Sri Lanka, who have had the most successful spin attack at home since November 2023.

With spin being work in progress, Mehidy will have to rely more on his pace attack. The return of Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman is a boost, while Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana and Tanzim Hasan have impressed in red- and white-ball cricket.

Mehidy has to quickly recognise his ODI specialists, especially with a World Cup in two years. Taskin and Mustafizur are big names but how Mehidy uses Rana and Tanzim will be crucial.

Bangladesh could gain a spot in the ODI rankings if they beat Sri Lanka. Mehidy has his task cut out with Bangladesh eyeing direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup. They are in danger of not making the cut-off.

Mehidy also has to live up to Bangladesh's expectations from their ODI captain. This is Bangladesh's best format. The last captain to have a healthy win-rate was Tamim Iqbal. Shakib and Shanto couldn't quite carry that forward. Mehidy comes in as captain at a very critical time. He is fighting time, while keeping a close eye on the rankings table.