Litton Das ruled out of Asia Cup 2023, Anamul Haque Bijoy named as replacement

Bangladesh have been dealt with a massive blow in the form of batter Litton Das’ exclusion, as he has been ruled out of Asia Cup 2023. Notably, Litton was unable to recover from viral fever and did not travel with the squad to Sri Lanka for the ACC event. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selection committee confirmed Litton’s exclusion from the setup and further announced his replacement. Wicketkeeper-batter Anamul Haque Bijoy will join the squad as his replacement and is likely to travel to the Island nation later on Wednesday, August 30.

Minhajul Abedin, the Chairman of the National Selection Panel, opened up on the like-for-like replacement and stated that Anamul was always under the radar to make the cut in the setup.

“He (Anamul Haque Bijoy) has been in the runs in domestic cricket and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers programme. He was always in our consideration. Due to Litton’s (Das) unavailability, we needed a top-order batter who could keep wicket and Anamul got the nod,” said Minhajul Abedin as quoted by the ICC.

Anamul has featured in 44 ODIs and collected 1254 runs, lacing it with five fifties and three centuries at an average of 30.58. However, he made his last appearance in 2022, against team India during the third ODI match wherein he scored a paltry eight off seven balls. 

Earlier, pacer Ebadot Hossain was confirmed to be ruled out of the ACC event after sustaining a knee injury in the ODI series against Afghanistan in July. With this, the think tank decided to back uncapped 20-year-old pacer Tanzim Hasan as Ebadot’s replacement, as the latter is recuperating in order to make it in time for the 2023 ODI World Cup, slated to be held in October.

The Bangla Tigers begin their Asia Cup campaign against co-hosts Sri Lanka on Thursday, August 31, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

Updated Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy

Also read: Most runs in Asia Cup 2023