Bangladesh captain Litton Das admits he was “left in the dark” over the decision to omit middle-order batter Shamim Hossain from the first two Twenty20s against Ireland, scheduled for Sylhet next week.
Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain confirmed on Friday that Shamim had been stood down to make room for uncapped keeper-batter Mahidul Islam Ankon. The call surprised Litton and head coach Phil Simmons, neither of whom, it seems, was consulted.
“I think it would have been better if [Shamim] was in the team. But this is not my call, [it is] totally the selectors’ call,” Litton said after training on Tuesday. “I don’t know why, but the selector dropped Shamim without giving us notice. I have known that a captain would know which player would be in the team, and which player would be out of the team. I don’t see any reason behind Shamim getting dropped. It would have been better if he was in the team.”
The 31-year-old skipper went further, revealing a recent directive that sharply limits his input into selection. “The selection panel and board has told me that I have to totally work with whatever team they have selected,” he explained. “I can’t have a say about which player I want or don’t want. I have known for a long time that a captain has a planning for organising the team. Recently, I have been informed that my job is to deliver something good from the field with [the] team that I have been given.”
He insists, however, that he will carry on as captain. “I won’t say it is insulting, but I think the captain and coach must be informed. We don’t know anything about [the selection]. If the same thing happens during the World Cup, I will try to implement with the team to the best of my ability.”
Disappointment for Shamim – and the squad
Shamim’s axing comes after three single-figure scores on the trot, yet the left-hander was instrumental in Bangladesh’s mid-year revival. His 48 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla helped seal a thumping win still viewed inside the camp as a turning point. He followed up with bright cameos in the Asia Cup, and a brisk 33 from 22 balls v Afghanistan in early October was his last meaningful contribution before form tailed off.
“It won’t disturb the team but [the situation] is disappointing,” Litton conceded. “You can’t expect the same performance in every series from every player. We have been trying to build a team for a long time. Why not Shamim? He performed extraordinarily in some of the series. Getting dropped from there, it is disappointing for Shamim.
“As a captain, I can’t say anything more than sorry to Shamim. I don’t expect all 15 players in my squad to perform at the same level. We have to back a player when he doesn’t perform in two or three series. I am really sorry that I couldn’t back him.”
Selector’s view – and the bigger picture
Gazi Ashraf’s public line is straightforward: Ankon deserves an opportunity, and the management wants extra wicket-keeping cover. Privately, officials have hinted at concerns over Shamim’s shot selection in the powerplay, though no one has said so on the record.
Selection friction is nothing new in Bangladesh cricket. Mashrafe Mortaza and Tamim Iqbal both grumbled about limited influence at various points in their captaincy stints. Litton’s comments, though, are unusually blunt and arrive just eight months out from the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Former Bangladesh batter and television analyst Habibul Bashar understands Litton’s frustration but believes a compromise is possible. “The captain should have a voice, obviously, but the selectors also have a long-term vision. Communication is the key,” he told local media on Wednesday.
The immediate task, though, is Ireland – and winning. Shamim’s omission hands the middle order to Ankon, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy, with Afif Hossain on standby. Litton must knit the XI together quickly; Sylhet’s surface tends to aid fast bowlers early before slowing, so match-ups and bat-first decisions could be decisive.
If results go Bangladesh’s way, the noise may fade. If not, the conversation around who really picks the side will remain loud – even if the captain feels he isn’t being heard.
