Litton Das, Naim Sheikh Back In BAN Squad For SL ODIs: 'He Has Done Well...'

Litton Das, Naim Sheikh Back In BAN Squad For SL ODIs: 'He Has Done Well...'

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Last Updated: June 23, 2025, 13:42 IST

Litton Das and Naim Sheikh return to Bangladesh's ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series. Veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah retire.

Litton Das is hoping for a return to form. (Image: AFP)

Litton Das and left-handed opener Naim Sheikh have been recalled to Bangladesh’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, as announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday.

The ODI series will be held from July 2 to 8, with the first two matches scheduled in Colombo and the final ODI set to be played in Pallekele.

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Naim returns to the one-day set-up after nearly two years, while Litton also makes a comeback along with several other familiar faces. Besides Litton and Naim, Shamim Patwary, Tanvir Islam, and Hasan Mahmud are also rejoining the side.

From the squad that last participated in the Champions Trophy, veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah have since retired from ODIs, while Soumya Sarkar and Nasum Ahmed have been omitted.

Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman have also rejoined the squad after recovering from injuries that had ruled them out of the recent T20I series.

Naim, who made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in Sylhet in March 2020, has played eight ODIs and scored 95 runs. BCB chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain stated that Naim’s improved intent and approach at the crease were key factors in his selection.

“Naim has shown that he can bat with the same intensity as our recent white-ball openers," Ashraf said. “He has done well in the Dhaka Premier League. We also have someone like Soumya Sarkar, who has ten years of international experience. He has been dropped because we want to help him recover fully so that he can come back properly."

Regarding Litton’s return, Ashraf said, “Litton Das was in a bad patch, but time is the best healer. He is the T20 captain, so we can consider him till the next T20 World Cup. If someone has to return to form, it is best to spend a long time in the middle. We feel that Litton can take his form from ODIs to T20Is."

Ashraf explained that five fast bowlers were included in the squad to help manage the workloads of Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana.

“We have included five fast bowlers in the ODI side, as Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed are returning from injuries. We are also mindful of Nahid Rana’s workload management, so we have kept enough options to choose from," he said.

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Bangladesh squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud.

(With IANS Inputs).

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: June 23, 2025, 13:42 IST

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