Shanto, Miraz to face off in Victory Day cricket showdown

National Victory Day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium will feature a rare showdown between Bangladesh’s current stars, as Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz lead two sides—Oporajeyo and Adommo—in a special commemorative match organised by the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).

Traditionally, this fixture brings together former cricketers for a morning reunion, but this year it will see active national players take the field in the afternoon. The match aims to raise funds for CWAB’s welfare activities, which have remained largely inactive in recent years.

Shanto will captain Oporajeyo, under the mentorship of former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, while Miraz will lead Adommo, guided by senior batter Mahmudullah Riyad.

“CWAB will hold a fundraising event where all the national team’s star cricketers will play cricket at Mirpur Stadium at 6 pm. Such an initiative has never happened before. I am very happy about this,” said BCB’s game development committee chairman Ishtiaque Sadeque.

He also expressed gratitude towards the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), adding, “I also want to thank BCB for this. When CWAB proposed the idea to BCB, they welcomed it warmly. BCB has taken responsibility for all logistical support and security. If, in the future, there are two to four such events every year—possibly held abroad—CWAB will be able to provide more financial support to players who have retired or those who are coaches, creating a sustainable fundraising source.”

Spectators will be able to watch the match with tickets, while T Sports will broadcast the game live.

Oporajeyo

Parvez Hossain Emon, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mohammad Mithun, Nurul Hasan Sohan (wk), Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Shak Mehidy Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Abdur Gaffar Saqlain, Nahid Rana

Mentor: Tamim Iqbal

Adommo

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C), Habibur Rahman Sohan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Akbar Ali, Mohammad Saifuddin, Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, Shoriful Islam, Soumya Sarkar

Mentor: Mahmudullah Riyad