Concerns have grown over captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s availability for the third ODI against Australia due to a concussion, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to include off-spinner Mahedi Hasan in the squad ahead of the final match, scheduled for 11 am on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Mahedi, who last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup against Australia, has now been recalled against the same opposition. So far, he has featured in 11 ODIs for Bangladesh.
The 31-year-old is coming off a strong Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League campaign for Legends of Rupganj, where he scored 229 runs and took 16 wickets in 10 matches as captain.
Miraz was struck on the helmet by a bouncer from Nathan Ellis during the run chase at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur in the second ODI. He later appeared to vomit on the field before the medical team attended to him.
Despite the incident, Miraz remained at the crease to hit the winning runs with a hook-shot six before being taken to Evercare Hospital. He underwent scans and an MRI and was kept under 24-hour observation.
Speaking on Saturday ahead of the third ODI, Soumya Sarkar provided an update on the captain’s condition.
“Mehidy Hasan Miraz has joined the team. He is still being assessed by the doctors. There is still time until tomorrow. He is with the team and is in good condition,” Soumya said.
Alongside Mahedi Hasan’s inclusion, the BCB said in a media release: “ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz is in good health but will undergo further assessment tomorrow to determine his fitness for the third game.”
