Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Thursday that Bangladesh have recalled Litton Das and Afif Hossain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan, reports Daily Sun.
Litton returns to the 15-member squad after missing several ODI series last year, while Afif also makes a comeback to the 50-over side after a lengthy absence.
The series will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on March 11, 13 and 15.
Litton had been dropped from Bangladesh’s ODI plans in July last year and has since played only three List ‘A’ matches. In those games during the recently concluded Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day tournament, he scored 10, 55 and 0.
The right-handed wicket-keeper batter, however, has remained active in the shorter format, playing 30 recognised T20 matches during that period and scoring 696 runs at an average of 25.77 with a strike rate of 130.58, including five half-centuries.
Afif last played an ODI for Bangladesh in December 2024. Since then, the left-handed batter has featured in 14 List ‘A’ matches, scoring 446 runs at an average of 37.16.
He also struck a 100 off 86 balls in the latest round of the Bangladesh Cricket League and had earlier made a 98-run innings in last year’s Dhaka Premier League, although he failed to register another half-century during that time.
Bangladesh have made several changes from the squad that featured in their previous ODI series against the West Indies in October.
Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan and Nasum Ahmed have been dropped, while pacers Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Hasan Mahmud are unavailable due to injury.
In addition to Litton and Afif, fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam have also returned to the ODI squad.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz will lead the spin department, alongside leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam. Saif Hasan and Afif can also provide part-time off-spin options if required.
The pace attack will be spearheaded by Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, with support from Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam. Soumya Sarkar is also expected to offer seam-bowling all-round support.
Pakistan are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on March 8 ahead of the series, although their arrival could be brought forward by a day depending on flight arrangements.
Bangladesh squad
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Kumer Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
