The T20 captain Liton Das earlier alleged in a press conference in Chattogram that the selectors did not consult him before excluding T20 performer Shamim Patowary and that he was instructed to play with the team already finalised. He further claimed that the selectors informed him his opinion would no longer be considered in team selection.
Bangladesh’s chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu has now clarified the matter. In an exclusive conversation with a media outlet, he stated that they had discussions with Liton Das and head coach Phil Simmons during the fourth and fifth days of the Dhaka Test against Ireland regarding the T20 squad.
According to the chief selector, Liton Das expressed his desire to keep Shamim in the team. After speaking with coach Phil Simmons, the selectors also felt that both the coach and captain preferred Shamim’s inclusion. However, the selectors believed that Shamim’s recent form in the latest series was not good enough to justify his place in the squad. Therefore, the team was formed without him.
Responding to Liton’s claim that there had been no discussion, Lipu said that conversations had indeed taken place and they had heard both the captain and coach. The selectors sensed that both were against making changes to the batting lineup.
He explained that although the captain, coach, and selectors each have defined boundaries, the selectors hold the highest authority when it comes to finalising the team. Based on that authority, they made the decision to exclude Shamim.
The chief selector further elaborated that discussions with the coach and captain are always held before finalising any team, and the same process was followed this time. During the final Test in Dhaka, the selectors discussed batting and performance issues with Liton, who reiterated his support for Shamim’s inclusion.
Lipu said that despite Shamim’s recent poor performance, Liton still wanted him in the squad. However, the selectors did not consider him to be in sufficient form. Since the coach had no major complaints about the batting unit, Shamim was not separately discussed.
Lipu concluded by stating that after the team was declared, he personally phoned Shamim Patowary and informed him that although the captain wanted him, he was not included in the squad based on the selectors’ final evaluation.
SS