Bangladesh faced a substantial setback on the inaugural day of the Asia Cup 2023, with the notable absence of star wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, who has been declared unfit for the entire tournament due to a persistent viral fever. Litton’s inability to recover led to his absence from Bangladesh’s opening match in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially announced that 30-year-old right-hander Anamul Haque Bijoy would step in as Litton’s replacement. Anamul Haque, with 44 ODIs under his belt, has amassed 1254 runs, inclusive of three centuries. His most recent ODI appearance for Bangladesh dates back to December of the preceding year, against India. He is set to join the Bangladesh team in Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Minhajul Abedin, Chairman of the National Selection Panel, emphasized the selection of Anamul as a like-for-like replacement, stating, “He (Anamul) has been among the runs in domestic cricket and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers programme. He was always in our consideration.”
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With Litton unavailable, the requirement for a top-order batter capable of keeping wickets led to Anamul’s inclusion, as confirmed by the BCB.
Bangladesh’s journey in the Asia Cup commences against co-hosts Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Kandy, on Thursday.
Bangladesh’s Asia Cup Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy.