The Bangladesh national cricket team has reinstated Liton Das in the 50-over squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series. However, in a strategic departure from his usual position as an opener, Das is now slated to bat in the middle order. Analysts view this move as a significant step towards bolstering the team’s experience and stability in the middle-order lineup.
The series will commence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka, on Wednesday, 11 March. Senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin emphasised the strategic reasoning behind the change, stating, “The team’s interests come before individual ambitions. We believe Liton has the capability to perform in the middle order, and his presence there will be highly beneficial for the team.”
As part of the series preparation, Das featured in a practice match against the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) All-Stars, where he batted at number five. Salahuddin further noted, “Following the ODI retirements of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad, we need to fill the experience gap in the middle order. Liton’s inclusion in this position will enhance team stability.”
Das is no stranger to middle-order batting. During the 2019 ODI World Cup, he scored a crucial 90 against the West Indies from a middle-order position. Despite being absent from the ODI plans since July last year, he has remained a regular performer in the T20 format.
A snapshot of Das’ recent T20 form is presented below:
| 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. The ODI fixtures are scheduled for 11, 13, and 15 March at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. This series represents a crucial testing ground for Bangladesh to evaluate new middle-order strategies.
The effectiveness of Das’ transition to the middle order will be closely monitored, particularly in light of the current scarcity of experienced batsmen. His role is pivotal not only for personal career growth but also for strengthening the team’s batting cohesion during high-pressure situations.
Cricket experts are optimistic that Das’ new position will contribute to consistent, stabilising innings in the middle order, potentially reshaping Bangladesh’s ODI batting approach and reinforcing the team’s overall resilience.