Bangladesh have been dealt a major blow as Liton Das has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 due to a viral fever. Before this tournament, Tamim Iqbal decided to opt out due to injuries and pace bowler Ebadot Hossain was also ruled out.
Liton Das looked in sublime form for Bangladesh and made some impactful knocks. He will be sorely missed while opening the innings. His replacement Anamul Haque featured in his last ODI against India in December 2022. He has played in 44 One-day internationals (41 innings) scoring 1254 runs including 3 half-centuries and 3 centuries to his name.
Shakib AL Hasan has been appointed as Bangladesh’s new captain for the Asia Cup. They will start the Asia Cup campaign against hosts Sri Lanka at Palleke International Stadium, Kandy on 31st August before they finish the tournament against Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore to be played on September 3rd.
“He [Anamul] 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,” Minhajul Abedin, Chairman of the national selection panel, said.
Liton Das is in brilliant form for Bangladesh
The dashing wicketkeeper batter from Bangladesh, Liton Das has been in sensational form of late in 50 over format. Since the start of 2022, Das made a total of 878 runs from 25 innings providing explosive starts making life tough for the opponent bowlers.
Bangladesh will be chasing their first Asia Cup title. It is a major blow for the Bengal Tigers as Liton Das can put pressure on bowlers right from the word go and make them bowl at his strength.
Under the captaincy of Shakib AL Hasan, Bangladesh would be hoping to go past the group stage as they must play Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. During the 50-over edition in 2018, Bangladesh qualified for the finals losing to India in a closely fought encounter.
Asia Cup 2023: Bangladesh Squad
Anamul Haque, Tanzid Hasan, Najimul Hasan Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib AL Hasan (C), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Naim.
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