Chattogram Challengers had a dramatic change in their leadership ahead of their fifth match in the ongoing BPL, after Naeem Islam replaced Mehidy Hasan Miraz as captain for the fixture against Sylhet Sunrisers.
Coach Paul Nixon, meanwhile, has departed for the UK on Saturday morning, according to franchise officials. Team manager Fahim Muntasir said that Nixon acted upon an "emergency call" from his county side Leicestershire where he has been the head coach since 2017. But before departing, Nixon advised that Miraz should be replaced as captain to free him up as an allrounder.
"We had a full season contract with Nixon, but he has returned after receiving an emergency call from his county side. He gave his observation before leaving, regarding how the team should run. We made the change according to that. He said that Miraz is an important player so he should be freed up, which is why we have changed the captaincy," said Muntasir.
The franchise's chief operation officer, Yasir Alam, said that Shaun Tait, who had been working as their bowling coach, has been elevated to the head coach position. "Shaun Tait is now the head coach as Nixon has gone to his county side Leicestershire. Nixon told us to replace Miraz with Naeem, an experienced allrounder, as the captain," Alam said.
Miraz took eight wickets and scored 70 runs in his four matches as Chattogram captain this season. Chattogram won two out of their first four matches under Miraz, who was on his second stint as a captain in the BPL. Previously, he led Rajshahi Kings in the 2018-19 BPL.
Naeem, too, is leading his second BPL side after being the Rangpur Riders captain during the BPL's 2016 edition. Regarding the departing coach Nixon, Naeem said, "We had a lot of problems with our big-hitting. The way he helped us in this area, was great. We could have learned a lot more from him if he was with us for longer."