In an unforeseen turn of events, the cricketing universe bore witness to an intriguing chapter where Bangladesh’s renowned opener, Tamim Iqbal, fearlessly contested the judgement of his own skipper, Litton Das, concerning the reinstatement of New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi. Sodhi had previously faced a run-out at the non-striker’s end.

Tamim, who recently returned to the Bangladesh ODI squad following an injury hiatus, was unreserved in his expression. He offered a forthright viewpoint, asserting that the decision did not align with his understanding. He further contended that

“teams should either wholeheartedly embrace this mode of dismissal or abstain from resorting to it entirely”.

Tamim’s critique extended beyond his own captain, encompassing Ish Sodhi himself. While recognizing the prevalence of non-striker run-outs in contemporary cricket, he stressed that Sodhi should have been prepared for such an eventuality, given its commonplace occurrence in the modern game.

On the other side of the coin, Ish Sodhi paid homage to Bangladesh’s commendable exhibition of sportsmanship. He conveyed his gratitude for Litton Das’ adept handling of the situation, acknowledging the intrinsic value of fair play that is an integral facet of the sport of cricket.

The Sodhi incident serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing tension within the cricketing world, where the longstanding principles of the game clash with the stringent interpretation of its regulations. While some argue that dismissing a non-striker who strays too far is inequitable, others point to the unequivocal allowance granted by the rulebook.

Each team is now in a position where they must decide where they stand on this controversial matter. But it is important to remember that cricket is about more than just winning and losing; it is a game of tradition and value. This includes basic principles of fair play and showing respect to your opponents.

Liton Das has been Bangladesh’s highest run-scorer in ODIs since 2019 and demonstrated consistent form across formats last year.

However, as the World Cup approaches, Liton’s recent dip in form has raised concerns, with ODI results not favoring the Tigers.

Despite maintaining an overall average of just under 40 since 2019, accumulating 1508 runs with four hundreds and seven fifties at a strike rate of over 87, Liton’s last ten innings have seen him amass 229 runs at an average of 29.62.

Liton has been actively addressing his form concerns, seeking guidance from his childhood batting mentor. While he showed promise in the Asia Cup, his recovery from injury prevented him from converting good starts into substantial innings.

Addressing the media ahead of the series against New Zealand, Liton emphasized that his confidence as a batter remains intact. He stated,

“I am trying and practicing to find a way. Hopefully, I will be able to make a comeback soon. It’s not a matter of confidence. Let’s see what happens

Regarding external opinions on social media and media platforms, Liton expressed that it does not significantly impact the players. He highlighted that the team is focused on their game and personal lives, leaving little time for such distractions.

Bangladesh’s stand-in captain, Liton Das, has expressed his desire for the experienced pair of Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad to embrace their return to international cricket with freedom and enjoyment during the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, commencing in Mirpur tomorrow.

Both Tamim and Riyad are making their comebacks to the national squad after a hiatus. For Tamim, this will be his first ODI appearance for Bangladesh since relinquishing the captaincy in August. Riyad, on the other hand, returns to the ODI format following his omission from the squad after the home series against England in March.

Liton Das, who will lead Bangladesh in Shakib Al Hasan’s absence, emphasized the importance of not burdening the returning veterans with undue pressure. “Obviously it helps a lot when you have two senior players in the side. They will be returning after a long layoff. I do not want to put any kind of pressure on them,” stated Liton during the pre-match press conference in Mirpur.

Liton further underlined that both experienced players should relish their game to achieve the best results for the team.

“They should enjoy their game. In fact, the chances of success really increase when every player enjoys their game,” he added.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially unveiled the 15-member squad for the first two One-Day Internationals against New Zealand. These matches are scheduled to be held this Thursday and Saturday at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Tamim Iqbal, who hasn’t played since his retirement U-turn against Afghanistan in July, and Mahmudullah, who last featured in an ODI against England in March, are back in the squad.

Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam have been rested for the upcoming series.

The squad also sees the return of Soumya Sarkar and Nurul Hasan, alongside the inclusion of Zakir Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain.

Notable exclusions from the squad include Mohammad Naim, Afif Hossain, and Shamim Hossain, as confirmed by the BCB.

The decision to rest key players is made in consideration of the upcoming World Cup in India, focusing on ensuring the physical and mental fitness of the cricketers, according to chief selector Minhajul Abedin.

Minhajul Abedin sees this series against New Zealand as an opportunity to evaluate other players before the major event. Zakir, Khaled, and Rishad bring different strengths to the team.

Historically, Bangladesh has performed well against New Zealand in ODIs, winning their previous home series 4-0 in 2010 and 3-0 in 2013. Following the ODI series, New Zealand will play two Test matches in Bangladesh after the World Cup.

The Bangladesh team will commence training for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand on Tuesday, following their participation in the Asia Cup. They have won two games in the tournament and lost thrice.

After the third and final ODI against New Zealand on September 26, Bangladesh will shift their focus to World Cup warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and England on September 29 and October 2, respectively, in Guwahati.

Bangladesh’s World Cup campaign begins on October 7 in Dharamsala, where they face Afghanistan.

“I am not aware that Liton is going to Pakistan today. I did not hear it. I just inquired about his update today. If he goes to Pakistan, then I was supposed to know it,” Papon told reporters today.

BCB officials confirmed that Liton would fly to Lahore via Doha tonight.

When reporters informed Papon that Liton was scheduled to take the Qatar-bound flight at 9 pm tonight, he expressed his astonishment, saying, “Is he going? The selectors came here [at his Dhanmondi corporate office] … they didn’t even inform.”

Papon raised concerns about the approvals required from both BCB and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Earlier, Chief Selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu stated, “Liton is now doing fine. There are a few injury concerns in the team [Asia Cup squad]. We need to discuss these injury issues with the team management and find out if any replacement is required.”

Bangladesh had initially included Anamul Haque Bijoy as a replacement for Liton in the Asia Cup squad. However, BCB’s inclusion of a replacement means they cannot directly add Liton to the squad. Instead, they would have to include Liton as a replacement for someone else in the team.

Newly appointed captain Shakib Al Hasan displayed his leadership enthusiasm by promptly attending the official Asia Cup photoshoot in Kandy, Sri Lanka, yesterday, despite arriving after the rest of the team.

The Tigers enjoyed a day of rest, marked by the absence of any official training session. Players engaged in gym activities and fulfilled their official photoshoot obligations. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur Rahim captured the city’s scenic beauty, sharing a snapshot on his social media.

Opener Liton Das has been a subject of concern. He was unable to travel with the team due to fever. Although the fever has abated, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has chosen to await Liton’s full recovery before his departure. His participation in the Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka on August 31 appears “unlikely,” even as he will require additional time to regain match fitness post-recovery.

Tanzim Sakib, who stepped in for the injured Ebadot Hossain, commenced his journey to Sri Lanka and was expected to integrate with the team on the evening of the same day.

The Tigers are slated for their first practice session on Tuesday since their arrival in Sri Lanka. Team manager Nafees Iqbal affirmed that the team had undergone positive preparations, with closed-door sessions and practice matches contributing to their readiness.

Manager Nafees emphasized the team’s optimism about the Asia Cup, highlighting that the conditions in Sri Lanka align favorably with those at home. The squad remains confident and aims to capitalize on momentum during the tournament.

Liton’s availability for the initial game presents a conundrum for the Tigers’ opening slot. Mohammad Naim and Tanzid Tamim could step up if Liton’s participation remains uncertain.

Despite a lack of training on the rest day, the team’s spirit remains high. The Tigers exuded positivity during the photoshoot, with Shakib’s energetic boxing moves adding flair.

The team management expressed contentment with the preparation preceding their Sri Lanka venture. Closed-door sessions and practice matches contributed to their competitiveness, reflecting the team’s dedication.

Young pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s journey to join the Bangladesh cricket team for the Asia Cup campaign has begun as he boarded a flight to Colombo at 1 pm today. His inclusion comes as a replacement for the injured Ebadot Hossain.

Upon reaching Colombo, Sakib is set to embark on a road trip to Pallekele, where the Bangladesh cricket team will engage in their opening game of the Asia Cup tournament on August 31 against Sri Lanka.

Although originally scheduled to travel with the team on Sunday, Sakib’s journey was momentarily halted due to ticketing complications. However, the issues have been resolved, allowing him to join his teammates in Colombo.

Liton Das, who missed the initial flight on Sunday due to a fever, is still in the recovery process. His participation in the tournament remains uncertain.

If Liton’s health improves, there is a possibility that he might take a flight to Sri Lanka on Tuesday. However, even if he manages to travel on Tuesday, it is unlikely that he will be fit to participate in the team’s first game.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s medical department has reported that Liton tested negative for Dengue and other medical assessments have shown positive results. The expectation is that Liton’s recovery will progress within the next couple of days.

In a disappointing turn of events, opening batter Liton Das will not be part of the Bangladesh contingent traveling to Sri Lanka for the imminent Asia Cup. The cause of his absence is attributed to a fever, as confirmed by Jalal Younus, Chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Cricket Operations committee.

“Liton is suffering from fever. He tested negative for Dengue. So if he recovers early, he will take the next flight to Sri Lanka. But if he does not recover, then we may have to think about a replacement,” Jalal informed The Daily Star.

The scheduled departure of the Tigers from Dhaka is set for 12:55 pm. However, another setback comes in the form of young pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who is also unable to join the initial flight. Tanzim, a last-minute inclusion as a replacement for the injured Ebadot Hossain, awaits ticket confirmation for a subsequent flight.

Strengthening Global Connections Through Cricket. MoneyGram, a prominent global financial technology company renowned for its worldwide money transfer services, has proudly unveiled esteemed cricketer Liton Das as its official brand endorser.

Expanding Horizons with Every Send and Receive. In a strategic move to further enhance its global presence, MoneyGram has joined forces with Liton Das, a revered figure in the cricketing world, who utilizes the company’s services to send funds to loved ones in Bangladesh.

The Announcement of a New Partnership. The momentous collaboration between MoneyGram and Liton Das was formally announced during a press conference held in Dhaka on Thursday.

Sharing the Enthusiasm for Teamwork. Liton Das expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “As a cricketer, I understand the value of teamwork, and I am excited to partner with a global, trusted brand like MoneyGram. It is great to now officially be associated with an organization that helps bring families closer through reliable and fast global money transfers.”

Promoting Sends and Receives to Bangladesh. This collaboration paves the way for Liton Das to feature prominently in promoting MoneyGram’s services for sending and receiving funds into Bangladesh.

Matching Values and Commitment. MoneyGram’s decision to choose Liton Das stems from his international appeal and his prominent role in the Bangladesh national cricket team. His exemplary talent, skills, dedication to excellence, and commitment to his craft closely mirror MoneyGram’s values. This alignment underscores MoneyGram’s unwavering dedication to providing swift, accessible, and seamless options for cross-border money transfers.