Mehidy Hasan Miraz: Not a Replacement for Shakib Al Hasan

Mehidy Hasan Miraz has made it clear that he does not consider himself a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan. Instead, he acknowledges that with Shakib absent, he will need to take on extra responsibility. In a recent press conference, Miraz praised Shakib and called for everyone to support him during this challenging time.

Shakib's wish to play in the last Test at Mirpur has been unfulfilled, making the Kanpur Test his final match. Prior to the series, Nazmul Hossain Shanto had mentioned Miraz as a potential alternative to Shakib, but Miraz dismissed this notion after the first Test.

"People often say that I will step into Shakib bhai's place. But let's face it, Shakib bhai has achieved a lot for Bangladesh. He has played international cricket for almost 17 years and is a legendary cricketer. I've only just started performing consistently over the past year or two. Shakib bhai has been scoring runs from the beginning. So, he remains Shakib bhai, and I am where I am. I believe it's better not to compare one player to another. We all know Shakib bhai's achievements, and I bat at 7-8, while he has always batted in the top order. That's a significant difference. When my time comes, I will certainly try my best for the team."

Miraz emphasized the need for everyone to support Shakib during this tough phase, saying, "We all know why Shakib bhai couldn't come or play. It's not a mystery to anyone. He is a legendary player who has accomplished so much for Bangladesh. I can't deny that. Given the situation he's going through, I think everyone should stand by him."