Bangladesh captain Litton Das has voiced strong disappointment after Shamim Hossain was dropped from the squad for the first two T20Is against Ireland. Litton openly criticised the selectors for failing to inform him about the decision, saying he learned of the omission only after the squad was announced.
Bangladesh are set to face Ireland in a three-match T20I series starting November 27, but Litton’s public frustration has overshadowed the build-up. Speaking at the pre-series press conference, he revealed that neither the selectors nor the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) communicated with him before removing Shamim from the squad.
“Look, it would’ve been good if he was in the team. This is not my call, it’s totally the selectors’ call. I don’t know why the selectors removed Shamim without giving me any notice. I always thought that when someone manages a team, at least the captain is aware of who is coming in and going out,” Litton said.
He added that while he understands that team selection is not his responsibility, he believes a captain should be consulted or at least kept informed. Litton further revealed that he has now been told clearly that he must work with the squad provided to him, with no involvement in selection decisions.
Shamim Hossain was dropped after scoring just two runs in the recent T20I series against the West Indies and struggling for form. But Litton said the lack of communication, not the decision itself, was what upset him the most.
“I’ve been told by the selection panel and the board that I have to work with whatever team they give me. So I don’t have any say in who I want or don’t want. All this time, I thought a captain gets to plan the team, but recently I’ve learned that my job is only to produce results with the players I’m given,” he said.
Litton also expressed regret that he could not support a player he believed in. He highlighted the team’s efforts to build stability, noting that Shamim had previously played crucial innings for Bangladesh.
“You can’t expect every player to perform every series. We’ve tried for a long time to settle the team. There was a time when Shamim played extraordinary cricket, which we needed. For him to be dropped so suddenly is disappointing,” he added.
Despite the controversy, Litton insisted that the issue would not affect the team environment. He said Bangladesh remain focused on performing well against Ireland. “As a captain, I’m sorry I couldn’t back him. When someone struggles for two or three series, I should support him, and I’m really sorry I couldn’t give him that backing.”
The first T20I between Bangladesh and Ireland will be played in Chattogram on November 27.
