Hridoy Hopes for a Fresh Start in T20Is After Disappointing Tour Bangladesh interim T20I captain Towhid Hridoy expressed optimism ahead of the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, aiming to move past a challenging tour that saw the team suffer a heavy defeat in the one-off Test and a 2-1 loss in the One Day International (ODI) series. The series, set to begin on July 15 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, marks a fresh opportunity for the Tigers to bounce back after a frustrating campaign in Harare. The Bangladesh team arrived in Bulawayo following a difficult stint in Zimbabwe, where they lost the Test by an innings and 85 runs before falling 2-1 in the ODI series. Despite the setbacks, Hridoy highlighted the importance of adapting to the new format and conditions. "It's a different format and a different venue, so if we play good cricket, hopefully we will get the desired result," he said ahead of the series opener. Hridoy will lead the team in the T20Is, continuing his captaincy role after making his debut against Australia. The absence of regular T20I captain Litton Das remains a concern, as the right-handed batsman is sidelined due to a calf injury. Das, who missed the home T20I series against Australia and the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, has been granted leave to play in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). His absence leaves a gap in leadership, though Hridoy remains focused on the immediate challenges. Another key absentee is left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who is ruled out of the T20Is after sustaining a hamstring injury during the first ODI in Harare. The fast bowler’s exclusion further complicates Bangladesh’s bowling options, as the team looks to balance its attack in the shorter format. Hridoy emphasized the need for a strong start, noting the challenges posed by Zimbabwe’s home conditions.#zimbabwe #litton_das #mustafizur_rahman #towhid_hridoy #queens_sports_club
Zimbabwe Seek to Continue Strong Form Against Under-Staffed Bangladesh in T20I Series Opener Zimbabwe will look to build on their recent successes against Australia and Sri Lanka in the 2026 T20 World Cup, where they advanced to the Super Eight stage, as they face Bangladesh in the opening match of a three-game T20I series. The first encounter will take place in Bulawayo on July 15, 2026, as part of Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe. The hosts, led by Sikandar Raza, aim to capitalize on their strong form in the tournament and their previous series victory over Bangladesh in the ODI format. Bangladesh, however, will be significantly weakened for the series. The team has lost key players to the Lanka Premier League, including Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Hasan Mahmud, who were granted NOCs to participate in the tournament. Additionally, fast-bowling all-rounder Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled out for four weeks due to a grade 1 hamstring tear and meniscal degeneration in his right knee sustained during the ODI series. This absence leaves Bangladesh with a depleted pace attack, making their challenge against a high-flying Zimbabwe side even steeper. Zimbabwe’s squad includes several players with recent form, such as Brian Bennett, who has been in excellent shape after a standout T20 World Cup campaign. Bennett, who scored a half-century in the Test against Bangladesh, will be a key batsman for the hosts. His ability to adapt to different conditions and deliver match-winning performances makes him a crucial asset. Meanwhile, the team’s spin department, led by Raza, will look to exploit the low and slow pitch in Bulawayo, which is expected to favor the home side. For Bangladesh, Nahid Rana will take on a more prominent role as the team’s leading wicket-taker in the ODIs.#zimbabwe #bangladesh #litton_das #sikandar_razza #bulawayo
Bangladesh name squads for Australia T20Is and Zimbabwe Test Bangladesh Cricket Board has officially announced the squads for their upcoming T20I series against Australia and the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe. The T20I squad, led by Litton Das, will face Australia in a three-match series starting on June 17 at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. The Test squad, captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto, will travel to Zimbabwe for a single-Test match scheduled from June 28 to July 2. The T20I squad includes several key players returning to the format after a hiatus. Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana, who were omitted from the T20I series against New Zealand in April, have been reinstated. Their inclusion comes at the expense of seamer Ripon Mondol and all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, who have been left out. The 15-player T20I squad features Litton Das as captain, with Tawhid Hridoy serving as vice-captain. Notable names in the squad include Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. The Bangladesh team is currently engaged in a three-match ODI series against Australia in Dhaka, which precedes the T20I fixtures. After the white-ball series, the squad will shift focus to the Test match in Zimbabwe. The Test squad, comprising 15 players, includes uncapped batter Tawhid Hridoy as a new addition. The squad is led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, with Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Amite Hasan, and Robiul Haque forming the core group.#litton_das #taskin_ahmed #bangladesh_cricket_board #nahid_rana #najmul_hossain_shanto
Clinical Bangladesh seal historic ODI series win over Australia Australia slumped to their worst-ever start to an ODI as Bangladesh romped to a historic series victory over the reigning world champions on Thursday night. The Tigers cruised to a revised target of 192 with five wickets and 36 balls to spare in the second ODI in Dhaka, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. This marked Bangladesh’s first men’s ODI series win over Australia, ending a streak of four consecutive bilateral series victories by the latter. The match began with a disastrous start for Australia, as they lost their first three wickets without scoring a run. Despite efforts from Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett, the visitors struggled to recover. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, dismantled the Australian batting lineup in the first two overs, leaving the hosts at 3-0 after just six balls. This was the first time in men’s 50-over cricket that Australia had lost their first three wickets without scoring, a record previously held by teams like Pakistan and South Africa. The collapse continued as Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, and Matt Renshaw fell in quick succession. Short was bowled shouldering arms to Taskin on the fourth ball of the innings, marking his third consecutive duck in the series. Connolly was dismissed for a golden duck off the first ball of the second over, and Renshaw, promoted to No.4, was caught by Litton Das five balls later. The Australians were left reeling at 3-0 after two overs, a situation that had never occurred in men’s ODI history. Australia’s only run of the innings came from a no-ball, as Taskin overstepped in his second over.#australia #bangladesh #litton_das #taskin_ahmed #mustafizur_rahman
Bangladesh Cricket Team's T20 World Cup 2026 Participation Controversy Bangladesh's decision to withdraw from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has sparked significant debate, with the team's captain Litton Das criticizing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for its stance on security concerns in India. The controversy centers around the team's refusal to travel to the host nation, despite assurances from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about safety measures. The BCB initially cited security risks as the primary reason for the team's withdrawal, a position that remained unchanged despite repeated assurances from ICC and BCCI officials. This decision led to Scotland being granted the team's spot in the tournament, a move that drew criticism from Bangladesh's cricket leadership. Litton Das, who has been vocal about the issue, recently reiterated his team's stance, questioning the validity of the security concerns raised by the BCB. In a recent interview with Prothom Alo, Litton Das highlighted the contrast between the security conditions in Pakistan and India. He stated that during previous tours to Pakistan, the team had faced stringent security protocols, including armed personnel stationed outside their accommodations. "If we could play in Pakistan, where security was so tight, why can't we play in India?" he asked, challenging the BCB's rationale. The captain also expressed frustration over the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. He revealed that while the BCB had invited the team to discuss security concerns, the discussions were superficial. "We were told to have tea and discuss, but there was no real dialogue.#icc #t20_world_cup_2026 #bcci #litton_das #bangladesh_cricket_board
Bangladeshi Wicketkeeper-Literal Litton Das Shares Disappointment Over IPL 2023 Experience With KKR Litton Das, the Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batter, revealed his frustration with his brief and unfulfilling stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In a candid interview on the "Chaar Chakka" podcast, Das expressed his disappointment over the lack of support from the franchise, which he felt was critical to his performance. He described his time with KKR as "short and discouraging," highlighting the team's failure to provide the necessary backing during his tenure. Das recounted that he was not informed about his playing status in advance, leaving him in a difficult position. He mentioned being left out of two matches without any prior communication, which he found unfair. "I was told at 11 PM that I would play, but I gave my best effort and still didn’t get the results I wanted," he said. Das emphasized that the lack of consistent support from the team and the sudden changes in his playing opportunities left him feeling undervalued. His only match for KKR came against the Delhi Capitals, where he struggled to make an impact. In a crucial innings, Das scored just four runs off four deliveries, failing to contribute meaningfully to the team's cause. His performance was further marred by two missed stumpings, which the KKR coach later acknowledged as pivotal moments that influenced the team's loss. Despite his efforts, Das was subsequently removed from the playing XI and not given another chance to prove himself. Das also mentioned that his personal reasons for returning to Bangladesh led to his early exit from the tournament.#gautam_gambhir #kolkata_knight_riders #litton_das #delhi_capitals #chaaar_chakka
Taskin Ahmed and Miraz Lead Bangladesh's Dominant Start Against Pakistan on Day 2 Bangladesh made a strong statement on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, as Taskin Ahmed claimed two early wickets to disrupt Pakistan's innings. The match, which saw Bangladesh take control of the game, began with Pakistan resuming their innings at 21 without loss after six overs. However, Bangladesh's bowlers quickly turned the tide, with Taskin and Mehidy Hasan Miraz playing pivotal roles in dismantling Pakistan's batting lineup. The morning session saw Bangladesh seize the initiative, with Taskin delivering a sharp performance. Opening batsman Abdullah Fazal was the first to fall, dismissed by a well-directed delivery from Taskin outside off stump. The pacer bowled from a good length, tempting Fazal into a drive that resulted in an outside edge caught by wicketkeeper Litton Das. Fazal scored 9 runs off 21 balls, including one boundary, before his dismissal. Taskin continued his dominance shortly after, removing the other opener, Azan Awais. Bowling from around the wicket, Taskin delivered a back-of-a-length ball that jagged back late after pitching on an upright seam. Awais attempted to drive the ball through the covers but was caught by Mominul Haque at short leg. The ball ballooned to the fielder, who completed a safe catch. Awais managed 13 runs off 34 balls, hitting three boundaries, before falling to Taskin's second wicket of the morning. The breakthroughs by Taskin were complemented by Miraz's efforts, who ended Pakistan's rebuilding phase between Shan Masood and Babar Azam. Miraz broke the 38-run partnership by removing Masood with a well-calculated delivery.#litton_das #taskin_ahmed #mehidy_hasan_miraz #abdullah_fazal #sylhet_international_cricket_stadium
Bangladesh Cricket Team Secures Strong Lead in Second Test Against Pakistan Bangladesh made a strong statement on the opening day of the second and final test against Pakistan on Saturday (May 16, 2026), as wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das delivered a masterclass performance with a sparkling century. Das scored 126 runs off 159 balls, hitting 16 fours and two sixes to anchor Bangladesh’s innings. His innings helped the team post a total of 278 all out, setting a formidable target for Pakistan. The hosts ended the day at 21 without loss, trailing by 257 runs, as Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the Bangladesh batting lineup. Das’s innings was a crucial turning point for Bangladesh, as the team overcame early challenges to build a solid foundation. However, the rest of the batting lineup faced difficulties, with no other Bangladeshi batter reaching 30 runs. This exposed the team’s vulnerability against Pakistan’s disciplined pace attack, which maintained pressure throughout the innings. The Pakistan bowlers, led by Khurram Shahzad, who replaced Shaheen Shah Afridi in the squad, dominated the proceedings. Shahzad claimed 4-81, while Mohammad Abbas took 3-45 to keep Bangladesh’s total in check. Hasan Ali, who was stretchered off after a fall in his first over, returned later to finish with 2-49, including the wicket of Das. Abbas struck early in the innings, dismissing opener Mahmudul Hasan for a duck after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Tanzid Hasan, making his test debut, scored 26 and showed promise with his aggressive approach. He struck Abbas for a cover-driven boundary and attacked Shahzad, who had been one of Pakistan’s three changes from the first test.#pakistan #khurram_shahzad #bangladesh_cricket_team #litton_das #mohammad_abbas
Middle overs have been one of our Achilles’ heels — Simmons Bangladesh team head coach Phil Simmons emphasized the importance of improving performance during the middle phase of ODI innings ahead of a crucial three-match series against Pakistan. The matches, scheduled for 11, 13, and 15 March at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, will test the team’s ability to maintain consistency across the 50-over format. Simmons highlighted that the middle overs, a traditionally weak area for Bangladesh, require focused attention to maximize scoring opportunities. The coach acknowledged the team’s struggles in this phase, stating that it is a critical component of the game. “We’ve not been as good as we want to be in the middle overs,” Simmons said. “That’s one of the areas we’re going to be stressing a lot—how many runs, how many singles, how many boundaries we get.” He stressed the need to balance scoring with maintaining momentum, as the middle overs often determine the outcome of closely contested matches. To address this challenge, Bangladesh has reintroduced Litton Das and Afif Hossain in the middle order. Litton, who has previously excelled as an opener, will now bat at number five, while Afif may take the number six position. Simmons praised Litton’s ability to handle spin bowling, a skill that could prove vital in the middle overs. “He’s one of our better players against spin, and that would help down the middle,” the coach said. “With his experience and skills, hopefully, we can get what we need there.” Litton, however, has historically performed best in the top order, where he has scored all five of his ODI centuries. Simmons noted that the team did not need to convince Litton to adapt his role, as the player was willing to take on the responsibility.#pakistan #phil_simmons #litton_das #afif_hossain #mirpur_sher_e_bangla_national_cricke
Bangladesh confirm batting order change for Pakistan series Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has announced that veteran right-hander Litton Das will open the batting order for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan. This marks a significant shift from his previous role as a middle-order batsman, with Simmons aiming to help Das regain his form in 50-over cricket. Das, who last batted at No.5 during the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, has struggled to score consistently in recent ODIs, with his last eight innings yielding no double figures. The coach believes the new position will provide the 31-year-old with the opportunity to contribute more effectively to the team's success. Simmons emphasized that Das has always been comfortable batting in any position, adding that the decision was made based on what the team needed. "He's a lot more relaxed with his game now, and he sees it as an opportunity to do what the team requires," the coach said. "We didn’t have to convince him for anything. All we asked was, 'this is what the team needs,' and he was happy to do it." Das, who previously captained the team, has consistently shown willingness to adapt for the greater good of the squad. The move to No.5 is also seen as a strategic effort to address Bangladesh's middle-order weaknesses. Simmons highlighted Das's experience and skills in dealing with spin bowling, noting that his presence in the middle order could strengthen the team's batting lineup. "It’s very difficult to keep going for 50 overs and then come in to open the batting," Simmons explained. "He’s also one of our better players of spin bowling. The middle order has been one of our Achilles’ heels, so having him there with his experience and skills could help us achieve what we need." Das’s past performance at No.#phil_simmons #litton_das #bangladesh_coach #pakistan_series #shere_bangla_national_cricket_stadium
Bangladesh Head Coach Phil Simmons Announces Litton Das to Bat at No. 5 in ODIs Against Pakistan Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has confirmed that Litton Das will open the batting order in the One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan, starting on March 11. The decision comes after the team overhauled its middle order, with regulars Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah no longer in the squad. Das, who has struggled to score consistently in ODIs since December 2023, is returning to the ODI side after a nine-month absence. Simmons highlighted Das’s ability to counter spin bowling as a key factor in the move. “First of all, it is very difficult to keep [wicket for] 50 overs and then come and open the batting,” Simmons said. “[Litton] is also one of our better players of spin bowling. The middle order has been one of our Achilles heels. So, him going down there with his experience and his skills, hopefully we can get what we need there.” Das’s inclusion at No. 5 marks a significant shift from his usual position in the top four. The wicketkeeper, who last batted at No. 5 during the 2019 ODI World Cup, has faced challenges in recent matches, failing to reach double figures in eight ODIs since December 2023. However, Simmons emphasized that Das’s adaptability and willingness to take on the role were not issues. “He has been comfortable batting anywhere,” Simmons said. “I think he’s a lot more relaxed with his game and he sees it as an opportunity to do what the team needs of him. We didn’t have to convince Litton for anything. All we asked was, ‘this is what the team needs,’ and he was happy to do it. He is happy to do anything for the team, when he is captain, he’s happy to do it for us now. So, we didn’t have to convince him for anything.#pakistan #phil_simmons #litton_das #bangladesh_cricket_team #one_day_international
