Miraz returns to Dhaka after captaincy issue

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was stripped off from the captaincy of Chattogram Challengers in a bizarre manner, returned to Dhaka today.

In an email to the CEO of the Bangladesh Cricket  Board (BCB), he wrote that he decided to not to play this edition of BPL to be with his ailing mother.

But the issue was not as straightforward as he wrote.

Miraz dramatically was removed from the captaincy by Chattogram Challengers during their match against Sylhet Sunrisers yesterday.

Naeem Islam who came to toss instead of Miraz in that match said Miraz had given up the captaincy to focus on his game.

But the Chattogram authorities then said that the change of leadership was brought on the advice of outgoing coach Paul Nixon, who returned to England to join county team Leicestershire.

It is learnt that the owner of the Chattogram actually removed Miraz from captaincy and here Nixon had not any input.

Miraz, however, has officially said that he will return to Dhaka due to his mother's illness.

When contacted, he told the BSS, "I have already e-mailed the BCB CEO to inform him that I am returning to Dhaka for my mother's treatment."

However, he did not hide his anger at being removed from the captaincy.

“It was very embarrassing. The team under my leadership was doing well, yet I don't know why they removed me. Even the team management and coach were happy.”

Chattogram are at the top of the points table with three wins in five matches so far in BPL. They have won two and lost two under the captaincy of Miraz in four matches.

Although the team did well, it is believed the difference between Miraz and team management was created on some strategic issues. Miraz in fact wanted to open the innings by removing English opener Will Jakes and that’s the thing that team management didn’t agree with.

In the last five matches, Miraz though was excellent with bowling, he couldn’t manage runs as per expected paces.

Team manager Fahim Muntasir Sumit admitted there were some issues between team management and Miraz.

"We are trying our best to convince Miraz," he told the reporters.

“It would be too bad if he really leaves the team. Because in the history of BPL, it has not happened that one player left the team in the midst of the tournament.”

He said Miraz was going to Dhaka for purely family reasons even though there were some issues between him and the team management.