The Bangladesh national cricket team has recalled Liton Das to its 50-over squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan, but with a significant tactical adjustment. Unlike his traditional role as an opener, Liton is now set to bat in the middle order—a move aimed at bolstering the team’s experience and stability in this crucial segment of the innings.
The series is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 11 March, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin emphasised the strategic nature of this decision, stating, “The interests of the team come before individual roles. We believe Liton possesses the skillset to excel in the middle order, and his presence there will be highly beneficial for the team.”
As part of the preparations, Liton was seen batting at number five in a warm-up match against the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) All Stars. Salahuddin elaborated, “With the ODI retirements of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad, we needed to fill the void of experience in the middle order. Liton’s inclusion is intended to provide that stability and ensure the innings have a reliable backbone.”
Liton is no stranger to middle-order responsibilities. During the 2019 ODI World Cup, he notably scored a vital 90 runs against the West Indies while batting in this position. Although Liton had been absent from Bangladesh’s ODI plans since July last year, he has maintained regular participation in the T20 format, showing promising form.
Below is a summary of Liton Das’s recent T20 form:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 | 30 | 696 | 25.77 | 130.58 | 5 |
Pakistan’s 15-member squad has already arrived in Dhaka, with the three ODIs set for 11, 13, and 15 March at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. This series provides Bangladesh with an ideal platform to experiment with its middle-order strategy ahead of more competitive fixtures.
The success of Liton’s middle-order role will be closely observed, particularly given the current shortage of experienced batsmen in this segment. If effective, it could enhance team stability and provide a blueprint for future ODI strategies.
In summary, Liton Das’s repositioning reflects a strategic evolution in Bangladesh’s ODI approach, aiming to strengthen the middle order and increase the team’s resilience under pressure.