Litton Das takes dig at national selection panel over omission of Shamim

Bangladesh T20I skipper Litton Das took a swipe at the Gazi Ashraf Hossain-led national selection panel after being bemused by the omission of Shamim Patowary from the ongoing three-match T20I series against Ireland, scheduled to commence in Chattogram from November 27.

Shamim failed to make the T20I squad, scoring four ducks in his last eight games and only two runs in his last four games. In 2025, Shamim played 24 T20Is and managed to score 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," Litton told reporters ahead of the T20I series.

"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.

"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," he said. "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 said that better communication is required between the selection panel, head coach and the captain going 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," he said.

When contacted by Cricbuzz, Gazi Ashraf Hossain brushed aside Litton's allegations. He said Litton was informed about the squad as they had taken views of the captain regarding 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," said Ashraf.

"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.

"So, we talked about our batting, and I especially asked him, "What is your opinion about Shamim Patwari?" And about his performance. He clearly told me that he wants him in his team, in his squad. I just reminded him, "You must have known what he has done in the last four-five matches." After being aware of that, he still said he wanted him in the side. Then I said, "Okay. I got your views. Thank you very much." And he said that the coach is also aligned. That is also important, that the coach is thinking in the same way as him," he said.

"Then on the last day fifth day, during Lunch, we had a discussion about the team. We took an opinion from the coach. We didn't discuss the Shamim Patwari issue with the coach, but the coach said he is happy with his batting unit. That is true. I mean, the coach also wanted the same batting unit. But at the end, since we are the national selection panel, we also have some vision, some thought process.

"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. We follow our process," he said. "Maybe he (Shamim) was satisfied with his performances. Maybe we weren't satisfied with his performances," he added.

The national selection panel opted to drop Shamim as they wanted to see how Jaker Ali or Nurul Hasan perform in that position while promoting Mahidul Islam in the middle-order of the T20I unit.

The problem between Litton and Ashraf is not new considering they have had a distant 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 to regain his form in the 50-over format. Litton also failed to make the Champions Trophy due to his lack of form in the 50-over format.