Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das, Bangladesh's two senior players are absent from their Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Here's why.
Bangladesh squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Bangladesh announced their Champions Trophy squad on January 12, leaving out senior pros Shakib and Litton from their squad of 15. Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue leading Bangladesh, with a good mix of seniors and youngsters in the squad.
Find the complete Bangladesh squad for Champions Trophy 2025 here.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed.
Why is Shakib not playing the Champions Trophy?
Shakib Al Hasan was not picked despite being available primarily due to the fact that he had been suspended from bowling in international cricket because of an illegal bowling action.
Shakib was first reported for a suspect action in a county game last year after which he failed two independed assessments of his bowling action, which meant the initial ban that was placed on his bowling in top flight cricket was not lifted by the time the Champions Trophy squad was announced.
While Shakib could still play as a batter, Bangladesh selectors chose to overlook the veteran all-rounder, who has also been in the limelight for his political involvements in the last few months. It culminated in a dramatic series of events during Bangladesh's home Test series against South Africa, which was supposed to be Shakib's last, but he eventually ended up not playing.
Shakib's absence from the Champions Trophy squad will mark the first ICC event since his debut where he will not feature for Bangladesh. It perhaps also marks the end of his ODI (and international) career.
Why is Litton not playing the Champions Trophy?
Like Shakib, Litton was also dropped from the squad. His axing was primarily due to his performances (or lack thereof) in the 50-over format. Litton's overall ODI record reads 2,569 runs at 30.22 but he has a highest score of six in his last seven ODI knocks, inluding three ducks.
"Litton is out of form," chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain said during the squad announcement. "He is getting out in a similar pattern. He is unable to take advantage of the powerplay in the white-ball format. He is unable to last at the crease. He is getting exposed. Opposition analysts are getting too successful against Litton. We gave him chances but there isn't much trust left.
"We have considered Litton's past performances, especially his recent-past efforts. It became hard to be confident about Litton when he couldn't score runs in the West Indies where the rest of the batters got us to big totals."
Bangladesh begin their CT 2025 campaign against India in Dubai on February 20.
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