Bangladesh have had a continual headache with their top-order in the recent months as both Liton Das and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto looked out of touch since the turn of the year.
However, Bangladesh refused to take a risk with a new player as they kept their trust in the players who have been playing for them in the recent months in the 15-member squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Liton, who had been Bangladesh鈥檚 best T20I batter in 2022 and 2023, struggled for form this year, leading to him being dropped after the third match of their five-match series against Zimbabwe.
Soumya Sarkar has only returned from an injury, while Tanzid Hasan Tamim鈥檚 whole T20I career is the five matches against Zimbabwe, where he hit two fifties.
Skipper Shanto has failed to give the team balance at number three, often failing to score runs, and when he has managed some, his strike rate has almost been run-a-ball, which is well below-par of international standards.
Still, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has decided to not haste with the decision as they had a bitter experience just a few months back, when an inexperienced Tanzid failed to perform at the 2023 World Cup.
Bangladesh national team chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu hoped that the big event would bring out better performances.
鈥楤ig events brings pressure on big cricketers. It鈥檚 not like they will face pressure against Zimbabwe. That pressure comes at global events. In many cases, they do well on big stages. Liton and Shanto both has the experience of playing a lot of matches,鈥� he told the media.
鈥榃e are trusting Liton despite his lack of form. He is working on how he can do better. Work is being done regarding his shot selection and ball selection.鈥�
