Mehdi Hasan Miraj's dream has finally come true. The 27-year-old all-rounder tossed the series-deciding ODI against Afghanistan in Sharjah after regular captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto was ruled out with an injury. Bangladesh also got their 17th ODI captain.
Miraj led the field as the 23rd captain of Bangladesh in three editions. Bangladesh has been playing ODIs since 1986. 17 captains have led Bangladesh in the last 38 years. The number is not less. However, South Africa is less in comparison.
The Proteas have had 19 ODI captains since returning from a long exile in 1991. The English are on top of this list. On January 5, 1971, the two arch-rivals of the cricket world, England-Australia, faced each other in the first ever ODI in Melbourne. Ray Illingworth led England in that historic match. Including him, 38 people have led England in ODIs so far.
However, Australia is fourth in this list with 8 captains less than them. Mohammad Rizwan became Pakistan's 31st captain after taking to the toss in Melbourne last week against Ajid. Australia get their 30th captain with the last ODI of this series in Perth. Out of the 12 Test playing teams this year, 6 teams have got 7 new ODI captains. Apart from Rizwan, the list includes Australia's Josh Inglis, England's Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone, South Africa's Reci von der Dussen, Sri Lanka's Charit Asalanka and Bangladesh's Mirage.
Among them, Sri Lanka has been seen experimenting with more leadership in ODIs in the last decade. 12 of them have led this edition since 2014. Equally 10 people each from Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The number of India and Pakistan is 9. West Indies and New Zealand 8, Bangladesh and Afghanistan 7. 4 are from Ireland. Miraj, the seventh captain of Bangladesh in ODIs in the last decade and the seventh captain this year, can he become the 'Lucky Seven' for the country's cricket!
