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Bangladesh, who are currently engaged in a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, have recalled their veteran opener Litton Das for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series in the island country. The Bangla side will play three ODIs between June 2 and 8. Sri Lanka, who couldn’t play the Champions Trophy 2025, will look to play quality cricket under Charith Asalanka’s captaincy. In February 2025, Sri Lanka whitewashed Australia in a two-match 50 overs series played at home. Noting this fact, Bangladesh will have to be wary of the hosts in the upcoming tournament.
Bangladesh haven’t been upto the mark in ODIs this year. In the Champions Trophy 2025, they didn’t play with discipline and ended their campaign in the group round. Litton wasn’t a part of the Bangla team’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign due to his miserable form. This time, he will look to grab the opportunity with both hands to help his team win the ODI series for the first time in Sri Lanka’s backyard.
Announcing Bangladesh’s squad for the three-match series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said, “Litton Das was in a bad patch but time is the best healer. He is the T20 captain, so we can consider him till the next T20 World Cup. If someone has to return to form, it is best to spend a long time in the middle. We feel that Litton can take his form from ODIs to T20Is."
Four old names inducted to the 16-member Bangla squad for three ODIs
Besides Litton, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanvir Islam and Hasan Mahmud have also made it to the squad. Ashraf has expressed confidence in Naim, who performed well in the Dhaka Premier League. Ashraf feels Naim and Soumya Sarakar will make a fine opening pair.
"Naim has shown that he can bat with the same intensity as our [recent] white-ball openers. He has done well in the Dhaka Premier League. We also have someone like Soumya Sarkar, who has ten years of international experience. We want to help him recover fully, so that he can come back properly."
Bangladesh squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud
