Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan made waves on Tuesday with his bold statement regarding the struggling Litton Das, suggesting that he should be given a breather in the upcoming second Test against Sri Lanka at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium starting March 30.
Despite Nazmul’s recommendation, the BCB national selection panel opted to keep Liton in the 15-member squad, a decision announced shortly after the president’s remarks at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Litton, enduring a rough patch, found himself under the spotlight during the second innings. His dismissal, attempting an ambitious shot against pacer Vishwa Fernando in the very first ball, raised eyebrows, especially given the team’s precarious position at 37-4 with only 15 minutes remaining on the third day’s play.
In a fiery address to reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Nazmul expressed his discontent, emphasizing that while winning or losing wasn’t the primary concern, the manner in which the team approached the game was unacceptable.
“It felt like either they don’t want to play this format or there is some other problem,” he remarked, criticizing their shot selection and mindset. “These kinds of shot selections or mindset do not align with Test cricket.”
Drawing attention to Liton’s performance since the last World Cup, Nazmul highlighted a perceived decline, leading to his exclusion from ODIs. Despite recognizing Liton’s talent, Nazmul stressed that something was amiss, warranting a break from the game.
“He (Liton) needs a break,” Nazmul asserted, acknowledging the player’s significance in the team. “His Test stats and batting prowess cannot be ignored. We know he needs a break.”
With key players like Mushfiqur and Shakib absent, Nazmul admitted that Liton’s inclusion was influenced by various factors. However, he hinted at further discussions with the chief selector to assess the team’s options moving forward.
