BAN vs AFG: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named Liton Das captain for the remainder of the ongoing Bangladesh vs Afghanistan ODI series following the shock resignation of the veteran opener and Bangladesh cricket legend Tamim Iqbal. Liton, who had led the Bangladeshi Test side against the Afghans in June, will now take over the ODI team as well.
Tamim broke down crying while announcing his immediate retirement from international cricket on Thursday, the day after he led Bangladesh in a 17-run defeat in the rain-hit first match of the series.
His emotional press conference in Chittagong followed scathing criticism from BCB President Nazmul Hassan, who called Tamim’s professionalism into question for playing the match despite admitting he was not 100 percent fit.
Liton said the team was focused on the future as they seek to level the series on Saturday.
“It is difficult to say whether we will miss him. If I am injured today, the team will not miss me,” Liton Das told reporters.
“Going forward, newcomers will keep coming. Someday we will also go,” he added. “Since he is not there, we should not talk much about that topic.”
Also Read: Tamim Iqbal Retirement: Bangladesh ODI captain’s career in Numbers
But the wicketkeeper-batsman did admit that Tamim’s decision took the team by surprise.
“None of us could realise this decision was coming,” he said.
“He gave the Bangladesh team a lot for so many years and led the team. I and all our teammates respect his decision.” he said.
The third and final match of the series will also be held in Chittagong on July 11.
Bangladesh won both its prior ODI series at home against Afghanistan by a 2-1 margin.
Afghanistan conclude their tour with two Twenty20 matches in Sylhet on July 14 and 16.
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