The Asia Cup 2023 is set to begin on August 30 in Multan. Pakistan and Nepal will be up against each other in the tournament opener. Before the start of the Asia Cup 2023, the Bangladesh cricket team is facing a huge blow as Litton Das will ruled out of the tournament due to the viral fever. The illness also prevented him from traveling to Sri Lanka with the team. He has not been recovered yet.
A huge blow for the Bangladesh cricket team
Bangladesh cricket team will miss the services of Litton Das in the Asia Cup 2023. This is a huge blow for Bangladesh as he is one of the main top-order batters in the last few years or so. He has done well for the team and helped them to win the matches.
In fact, Litton Das has been the highest run scorer in ODIs for Bangladesh since the start of 2022. Since 2022, he has scored 878 runs in 25 innings at an average of 41.80. In this period, he has scored 7 half centuries and a century with the highest score of 136, which came against Afghanistan in February 2022.
Did well in the 2018 Asia Cup final
The last time the Asia Cup was played in an ODI format in 2018, Litton Das scored a magnificent hundred against India in the final. Because of him, Bangladesh has scored a decent total on the board. Unfortunately, he ended up on the losing side as Bangladesh lost a close final.
You can see how important Litton Das has been for the team in the last few years or so. He is a match-winner at the top of the order. The Bangladesh cricket team will definitely miss him in the Asia Cup 2023.
Anamul Haq will replace Litton Das
Another top-order batter Anamul Haq will replace Litton Das in the squad. He played his last ODI against India in December 2022.
Anamul will be a back up wicketkeeper for M Rahim. Also, he is someone who can play at the top of the order.
Anamul has done well in domestic cricket and has been in the setup of Bangladesh cricket.
A statement from the Chairman of the national selection panel
“He [Anamul] has been in the runs in domestic cricket and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers programme. He was always in our consideration,” Minhajul Abedin, Chairman of the national selection panel, said.
“Due to Litton’s unavailability, we needed a top-order batter who could keep wicket and Anamul got the nod.”
Anamul Haq stats in ODI cricket
Anamul Haq has played 44 ODIs for Bangladesh till now. In those games, he has scored 1254 runs at an average of 30.58. He has scored 5 half-centuries and 3 centuries till now in his ODI career. He is a like-for-like replacement for Litton Das.
Bangladesh would want him in the WC 2023
Litton Das’ fitness for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is something the Bangladesh cricket team will hope for. He is an important member of the team along with Tamim Iqbal, who is also eyeing a comeback.
Both the players’ availability will boost the team’s confidence.
Bangladesh to play Sri Lanka in their first game
Bangladesh will play their first game against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 on August 31 at Kandy. Then, they play Afghanistan on September 03 at Lahore in their 2nd game.
Bangladesh is placed in Group B in the Asia Cup 2023.
Bangladesh’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023:-
Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mohammad Naim, Shakib ul Hasan (c), Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Anamul Haq (wk), Taskin Ahmed, M Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Conclusion
So this is the news coming in from Bangladesh’s camp. It is not good news if you are a fan of the Bangladesh cricket team. Litton Das is a very important player for the team. But you cannot do anything if someone is down with a viral fever.
Hopefully, he recovers as soon as possible and we will see him again on the field. Bangladesh will look to win the first-ever Asia Cup title. They came closer a few times when they played the final but fell short unfortunately.
What do you think? Will Bangladesh win their first-ever Asia Cup title in 2023? If not, then who will win the title this time? Comment down your predictions below in the comment section.
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