'I no longer have a say' - Litton Das takes dig at national selection panel over Shamim omission

Published - 26 Nov 2025, 19:21 IST | Updated - 26 Nov 2025, 19:21 IST

Bangladesh T20I skipper Litton Das took a swipe at the Gazi Ashraf Hossain-led national selection panel after expressing surprise over the omission of Shamim Patowary from the ongoing three-match T20I series against Ireland, which began in Chattogram on November 27.

Shamim, who failed to make the cut for the squad, has endured a rough patch in recent outings, registering four ducks in his last eight matches and scoring just two runs across his previous four games. In 2025, the left-hander featured in 24 T20Is, accumulating only 261 runs at an average of 15.35 and a strike rate of 121.39.

"Of course it would've been better if he (Shamim) was here. But it's not my call - it's the selectors' call. I wasn't informed about Shamim being dropped. I always thought a captain should know which player is coming in or going out. I don't see a reason behind his exclusion. Whoever is in the 15-man squad is capable - still, yes, having Shamim would've been good,” said Litton to reporters as quoted by Cricbuzz.

"I've been clearly told by the selectors and the board that I have to work with whichever team is given to me. So I no longer have a say on who I want or don't want. I always believed a captain had a role in shaping the squad, but now it seems I just have to get the best out of the team I'm given," he added.

Litton added that better communication is needed between the selection panel, the head coach, and the captain moving forward.

"I won't call it insulting, but yes, the coach and captain should be aware. We are not aware of anything. And if the same thing happens in the World Cup, I'll still just work with the team I'm given. It won't disrupt the team, but it is disappointing. Not every player performs in every series. We tried to build a settled squad. Shamim gave us exactly what we needed in a few series. So yes, his exclusion is disappointing for him - and as captain, for me too. I'm sorry I couldn't back him more when he struggled," said Litton.

Gazi Ashraf Hossain brushed aside Litton’s allegations, stating that the skipper had been informed about the squad. He added that the selection panel had taken Litton’s views on Shamim during the Test series against Ireland in Dhaka before finalising the squad.

"Basically, it's a normal practice that we talk - meaning the selection panel talks - before announcing the final declared team. We are often aligned in those discussions with them, the conversations they have sometimes match with mine, sometimes they don't. And in this series what happened - I think on Day 4 of the Test match, Litton came to our selectors' room because we had communicated. We had a chat with him,” said Ashraf to Cricbuzz.

"What the selectors felt is that, based on his recent performances, Shamim doesn't deserve a chance in the first two matches. A message has to be sent - someone needs to improve. It's as simple as that. This is always the process. We take the opinions of the captain and coach, and then we make the call. So I don't have to do everything with the captain's approval," he added.

It is understood that the national selection panel decided to drop Shamim as they wanted to assess how Jaker Ali or Nurul Hasan perform in that role, while also looking to promote Mahidul Islam into the middle order of the T20I setup.

The rift between Litton and Ashraf is not new, as the two have shared a strained relationship since Litton was dropped from the ODI squad in 2024 during the home series against Sri Lanka. He was sent back from the team hotel to play in the Dhaka Premier League in an attempt to regain form in the 50-over format. Litton also failed to make the Champions Trophy squad due to his continued struggles in ODIs.