New Delhi: On Sunday, Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan stressed the importance of starting preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, according to the ICC.
With two and a half years remaining, Hasan asserted that the team should begin to take form now to ensure a competitive performance in the tournament.
"It's a process. We need to make decisions now and remain dedicated to our long-term goals. With two to two-and-a-half years until the World Cup, immediate team preparation is essential," Hasan stated as reported by the ICC.
"Consistency in player selection is crucial. If we only start our preparations two or three months before the tournament, it will be extremely challenging," he added.
His comments follow the exit of several key players from the white-ball format. He recognized that the recent retirements of experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmud Ullah, and Tamim Iqbal have left a significant gap that must be addressed.
"The previous generation established a strong foundation. Our responsibility now is to build upon it," Hasan remarked.
He commended the former players, including Mushfiqur Rahim, for their long-standing contributions to Bangladesh cricket and for elevating the team to new heights. Hasan believes it is now the current generation's turn to advance Bangladesh cricket further.
Players such as Mushfiqur Rahman and others from the previous generation have dedicated 7-8 years to the team, significantly advancing Bangladesh cricket. Now, we too have been part of this journey for a considerable time. Our objective should be to elevate Bangladesh cricket to new heights. The earlier generation established a strong foundation, and it is our responsibility to build upon it," Hasan remarked.
Having already made 180 appearances for Bangladesh across various formats, Hasan is poised to assume a leadership role within the team.
Bangladesh's recent showing in the 2025 Champions Trophy was underwhelming, as the team was eliminated during the group stage.
Nonetheless, Hasan remains hopeful about the team's prospects in the 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November 2027.
