Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is still in the running for the ODI captaincy, even as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) waits for Shakib Al Hasan’s decision on whether he wants to lead the team in the 50-over format.
Shakib, who is currently the captain of the Bangladesh team in T20Is and Tests, has not yet confirmed if he is willing to take up the additional responsibility of leading the ODI side. He had earlier stepped down from the ODI captaincy in 2020, citing workload issues.
BCB president Nazmul Hassan said that Shakib has been given time to think about his decision, and that the board will respect his choice. He also said that Litton, who was appointed as the vice-captain of the ODI team in 2022, is one of the candidates for the captaincy role, along with Mahmudullah Riyad and Mushfiqur Rahim.
“Shakib is our first choice for ODI captaincy. We have asked him to think about it and let us know. If he agrees, then there is no problem. If he doesn’t, then we have to look for other options. Litton is one of them. He has been doing well as a vice-captain and a batter. He has also shown leadership qualities in domestic cricket. Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur are also experienced players who can lead the team,” Hassan said.
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Litton, who made his ODI debut in 2015, has scored 2213 runs in 72 matches at an average of 34.04, with five centuries and 10 fifties. He also holds the record for the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter in ODIs, with 176 against Ireland in 2023.
BCB’s to and fro with captaincy
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has struggled to keep a long-term captain for the national team, especially in the ODI format. The board has faced several issues, such as injuries, retirements, workload, performance, and personal choices of the players. In the last decade, Bangladesh has seen five different ODI captains: Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, and Litton Das. None of them have been able to lead the team consistently and successfully for a long period.
Bangladesh team captains in recent years
- Shakib Al Hasan: He was first appointed as the ODI captain in 2009, and then as the T20I captain in 2017. He also became the Test captain in 2018, after Mushfiqur Rahim stepped down. He was removed from captaincy after ICC ban but took the charge in Test after Mominul resigned.
- Mahmudullah Riyad: He was the T20I captain of Bangladesh from 2018 to 2020. He stepped down from the T20I captaincy in 2020, after a poor performance in the T20 World Cup.
- Mushfiqur Rahim: He was the Test captain of Bangladesh from 2011 to 2017. He resigned from the Test captaincy in 2017, after a series loss to South Africa.
- Mominul Haque: He led the Test side from 2019-2022. He stepped down in May 2022 after poor run of form.
- Tamim Iqbal: Took the ODI captaincy in 2020. Resigned in 2023.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three ODIs against New Zealand at home in September, followed by the Asia Cup in Pakistan later that month. The BCB is expected to announce the ODI captain before the series against New Zealand.
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