Bangladesh T20I skipper Litton Das has returned to the squad after healing from a side strain, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board naming a 15-strong squad for the first two T20Is of the three-match series against West Indies in Chattogram, scheduled to begin on October 27.
Litton had sustained the injury ahead of the Asia Cup fixture against India and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, as well as the white-ball assignment against Afghanistan and the ongoing ODIs against West Indies. Afghanistan completed their third successive ODI series win against Bangladesh, all coming in the last three years.
The right-hander resumed training at the indoor facility of the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday and went through the motions without discomfort, paving the way for his return. All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, who featured in the Asia Cup and the Afghanistan T20Is, makes way.
All three T20Is will be played at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on October 27, 29 and 31.
Bangladesh T20I squad: Litton Kumer Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam.
It is interesting to note that the year had commenced on a tepid note for Litton Das. The frustratingly fascinating batter was left out of the 15-member Bangladesh squad for the Champions Trophy, held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh chief selector, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, admitted in December that they were concerned about the keeper-bat’s lean returns. Litton endured a dud of the tour to the Caribbean, managing to score only six runs in three ODIs. Jaker Ali is set to don the gloves following Litton’s omission.
