Picture Credit: Twitter
Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has opened up on his sacking as captain of the Chattogram Challengers hours before the match against Sylhet Sunrisers on Saturday. The cricketer has blamed the team CEO for spreading lies that the decision was taken at coach Paul Nixon's suggestion.
After a tussle with the officials of the franchise, Miraz did not take part in the team's practice session and also made up his mind to move out of the Chattogram Challengers team hotel on Sunday afternoon. However, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury persuaded him to stay. Miraz had reportedly informed the chief executive of the Chattogram franchise and BCB that he wanted to leave the team to be with his ailing mother in Dhaka. He was supposed to travel to Dhaka with his family.
After returning to the team hotel on the persuasion of Nizamuddin Chowdhury, Mehidy Hasan Miraz burst out in anger and blamed Yasir Alam, the CEO of the franchise, for spreading lies. When Miraz was removed as captain, Alam had said that he was acting on the advice of head coach Paul Nixon. But Miraz has claimed that Nixon had nothing to do with his sacking as captain.
I don't wish to play anymore: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
The Bangladesh all-rounder looked really fed up while talking to reporters. He said that he doesn't have the mentality to play now. "Actually, I do not have any more mentality to play now. What happened the previous day doesn't really add up. Three hours before our match, he informed me that I am no longer the captain. I told them that they could have informed me earlier. This is very insulting to a player," Aajtak quoted Miraz as saying.
"The statement he has made that the coach suggested my sacking as captain is completely wrong. You can ask the coach. I talked to him for half an hour. Yasir's statement is completely wrong. Yasir is the biggest culprit. I am sure he tells the owner of the team what to do. Team owner is a good person. He does not get involved in team affairs," Miraz added.
The all-rounder also talked about the rumors that his desire to move up the batting order created a rift in the team. He said, "I have started the innings in the BPL for the last two years. I played well as an opener. I just gave my opinion. I didn't force anything. Had I forced myself, I would have opened the innings".
Miraz was quite vocal about his displeasure with the team's chief executive and made it clear that he will not play if he is around. "I will not play if he is around. If Yasir Bhai is not in the franchise, I will play. Otherwise, I will not play. It is completely clear," said Miraz.