Litton Das, the opener for Bangladesh, has been selected as the team’s captain for the three-match series against the West Indies in Twenty20 International cricket. Litton has only captained one T20I, against New Zealand in Auckland in April 2021, and this will be the first time he leads the team for a full series.
Das has been given the chance after regular skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was unable to play due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the Afghanistan series in November. Mahmudullah has withdrawn from Twenty20 Internationals, and seasoned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s future in international cricket is still up in the air. Additionally, Towhid Hridoy, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Rakibul Hasan are among the squad’s absentees.
With batting all-rounder Shamim Hossain returning to action after missing his last international game in December 2023, the team has added a number of fresh players. In his 14 T20I innings, Shamim has amassed 254 runs at a strike rate of 115.98 and one half-century.
Litton Das has led Bangladesh in one Twenty20 International before.
Ripon Mondol, a medium-fast bowler who is 21 years old, is another acquisition. During the October 2023 Asian Games, he attracted attention by taking four wickets in three games and helping Bangladesh win a bronze medal.
The team also includes seasoned players including middle-order batsman Afif Hossain, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, quick bowler Hasan Mahmud, and Soumya Sarkar, who recently excelled in the Rangpur Riders’ Global Super League title victory.
Das, who has captained Bangladesh in one Test, one T20I, and seven ODIs, enters the captaincy with little prior leadership experience. Although his leadership abilities have not yet been thoroughly examined, Bangladesh’s performance will be greatly impacted by his batting form. In his sole Test match as captain, Litton amassed 75 runs in two innings, but in his first Twenty20 International, he was removed for a golden duck.
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