The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled their squad for the upcoming One-Day International series against Pakistan, starting March 11. The most notable inclusion in the 15-member squad is T20I skipper Litton Das. Notably, the wicketkeeper-batter had been sidelined from the 50-overs side, following a string of dismal showings in the format.
The BCB selection committee has confirmed that their intention is to make sure that the players who failed to do well have been released from the ODI squad, and Litton, in turn, has a blessing in disguise. The Bangla Tigers have also called in the services of Afif Hossain as a vital cog in their middle order, a spot where the side has been struggling a lot.
“We have provided opportunities to several players in the middle order, but unfortunately some have not done enough to secure their places. With that in mind, Afif Hossain has been recalled. He has never been away from our plans. Afif brings valuable experience and is currently in good touch. Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan has been retained and this is another opportunity for him to fulfil the potential he has shown,” chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“Litton Das may not have produced his best in recent ODIs but you can’t overlook the experience of nearly a hundred international matches in this format. He has been working closely with the coaches on his game. We believe he will soon perform in the manner he is capable of. We are considering him as an option to strengthen the middle order. Soumya Sarkar, meanwhile, has been in excellent form at the international level,” Ashraf added on Litton.
Apart from Litton and Afif, Bangladesh have also called in the likes of pace bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam. On the contrary, Nurul Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Shammim Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan and Nasum Ahmed were unfortunately left out of the Mehidy Hasan Miraz-led side by the selection committee for the three-match series against the Men in Green.
Bangladesh’s ODI squad
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana
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