2024-03-16 18:04:48
No fifties in last 10 ODIs, including zero in two consecutive ODIs at home against Sri Lanka. Wicketkeeper Liton Das has been dropped from the ODI team. Zaker Ali Anik has been called up to the third ODI team instead.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the matter with a statement on Saturday (March 16) afternoon. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu said that Liton was left out because the new ball was not continuous.
In a video message, Lipu said, ‘Since the series was going on, there was no scope for much change. But as the new ball is very inconsistent, we are no longer keeping Liton Das with this squad.’
Even if Liton is left out, there are Enamul Haque Vijay and Tanjeed Hasan Tamim as openers in this squad. Therefore Zaker Ali Anik, who is waiting for his debut, has been taken without calling another opener.
The chief selector said, ‘Enamul Haque Vijay and Tanjeed Hasan Tamim are already with the team as openers and Soumya Sarkar is another opener. Didn’t feel the need for a new opener in Lytton’s place.’
“We have taken the opinion of the captain and the coach in this process. We see if someone can be added in the middle order in place of Lytton, there is a gap. As a wicket-keeper-batter, I think Zaker Ali will be suitable in this place’- added Lipu.
The three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka is now tied at 1-1. The last match of the series on March 18 took the form of an unscripted final. BCB brought this change before that.