Litton Das Unhappy With Selectors After Shamim Hossain Dropped for Ireland T20Is
Bangladesh T20I captain Litton Das has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the national selectors after Shamim Hossain was omitted from the squad for the first two T20Is against Ireland. The decision, announced last Friday by chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain, was made to give Mahidul Islam Ankon an opportunity in the middle order.
Litton, however, said he and head coach Phil Simmons were neither informed nor consulted about the decision.
“I think it would have been better if [Shamim] was in the team. But this is not my call, it is totally the selectors' call,”
Litton said. “I don't know why, but the selector dropped Shamim without giving us notice. I have known that a captain would know which player would be in or out. I don't see any reason behind Shamim getting dropped.”
The captain also revealed that he has recently been told he will have little to no say in team selection moving forward.
“The selection panel and board told me that I have to totally work with whatever team they select,” he said. “I can’t have a say about which player I want or don’t want.”
Despite calling the situation “disappointing,” Litton said he will continue to lead the side under the new conditions. He added that he and Simmons should have at least been informed of selection decisions, especially ahead of major tournaments such as the T20 World Cup.
Litton also apologised to Shamim on behalf of the team management.
“Why not Shamim? He performed extraordinarily in some of the series,” Litton said. “As a captain, I can’t say anything more than sorry to Shamim. We have to back a player when he doesn’t perform in two or three series.”
Shamim has failed to reach double digits in his last three T20Is, likely contributing to his exclusion. However, he played crucial innings in Bangladesh’s T20I resurgence earlier in the year, including a match-winning 48 against Sri Lanka in July and valuable contributions during the Asia Cup.
Selectors Respond
Following Litton’s public remarks, chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain issued a statement clarifying the panel’s stance.
He acknowledged that Litton and Simmons did express their desire to retain Shamim but reiterated that selectors are not obligated to follow the captain or coach’s preferences.
“We held a brief meeting with the captain and coach before the squad announcement,” Gazi said. “Litton told us he wanted Shamim, and the coach wanted the same batters who played against West Indies. But after discussing internally, we decided to leave out Shamim.”
Gazi added that the squad was announced following board protocols and stressed that selectors answer to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, not team management.
“The selectors don't always have to agree with the captain and coach. We don’t have to take any permission. We are accountable to the board.”
Bangladesh will play the first two T20Is against Ireland before the squad is reconsidered for the third match, depending on the series situation.