BPL 2022: Mehidy Hasan Miraz calls Chattogram Challengers' CEO 'biggest culprit' in captaincy debacle

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has opened up on what transpired his removal as the captain of Chattogram Challengers midway through the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2022. Miraz left the camp hours after he was removed as the captain, and will not play for the team.

The all-rounder had informed the management of wanting to leave the tournament to be with his ill mother. He was not present at the practice with the rest of his teammates on Saturday. A team official requested him to get back in the hotel, but by then Miraz’s wife and child were already in the car that was supposed to take them to the airport.

The 24-year old stood outside the team hotel and made it clear that Yasir Alam (CEO of Chattogram Challengers) was the culprit of the entire saga.

I will not play if Chattogram’s CEO is around: Mehidy Hasan Miraz

Reflecting on what happened, Mehidy, as per ESPNcricinfo, said, “Actually I don’t have the mentality to play anymore. What happened on the last day, doesn’t really add up. Three hours before our match, they informed me I was no longer the captain. I told them that they could have informed me earlier. This is very insulting for a player.”

“The statement he gave about the coach suggesting my sacking as captain is totally false. You can ask the coach. I spoke to him for half an hour. Yasir’s statement was totally false. Yasir is the biggest culprit. I am sure he tells the team owner what to do. He is a good man. He doesn’t get involved (in team matters),” he added.

Mirza also said that him wanting to move up the batting order started the whole rift. “I just gave my opinion. I didn’t force anything. If I forced it, I would have opened the innings,” he said.

Mirza has opened in the BPL in the past, and he was just putting forward his opinion as the captain of the team. “I will not play if he is around. If Yasir bhai is not in the franchise, I will play. Otherwise, I won’t play. As clear as that,” he concluded.

Chattogram Challengers will play their next match against Comilla Victorians on Monday, and they currently stand at the top of the points table with three wins in five games.