Litton unaware of Shamim being dropped, lashes out after being kept in the dark about the decision in selection.
Left in the dark, T20I captain Litton calls out selectors over Shamim’s axing.
The Bangladeshi selectors’ decision to exclude Shamim Hossain from the team for the first two Twenty20 Internationals against Ireland has angered T20I skipper Litton Das. In order to give Mahidul Islam Ankon a chance in the middle order, chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain announced last Friday that Shamim will be dropped.
However, Litton claimed that neither he nor coach Phil Simmons were informed of this choice by the selectors.
“I think it would have been better if [Shamim] was in the team. But this is not my call, [it is] totally the selectors’ call,” Litton said. “I don’t know why, but the selector dropped Shamim without giving us notice. I have known that a captain would know which player would be in the team, and which player would be out of the team. I don’t see any reason behind Shamim getting dropped. It would have been better if he was in the team.”
Litton added that he was instructed to have minimal influence over the selection of the squad. However, Litton did not specify when or where he received the orders.
“The selection panel and board has told me that I have to totally work with whatever team they have selected,” Litton said. “I can’t have a say about which player I want or don’t want. I have known for a long time that a captain has a planning for organising the team. Recently, I have been informed that my job is to deliver something good from the field with [the] team that I have been given.”
Litton, however, said that he will continue leading the side despite such conditions given to his leadership. “I won’t say it is insulting, but I think the captain and coach must be informed. We don’t know anything about [the selection]. If the same thing happens during the World Cup, I will try to implement with the team to the best of my ability.”