Shakib sidelined by bowling ban, Litton dropped for slump in form: Lipu clarifies exclusions

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has revealed its 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, leaving out experienced players Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das.

Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu clarified the reasoning behind their exclusion during a press conference on 12 January at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Shakib, who has been struggling with his bowling action, was deemed ineligible to play as an all-rounder. His bowling action has been under scrutiny since the English County Championship last year, where it was reported as suspect.

Subsequent tests at a Birmingham lab confirmed irregularities, resulting in a ban from bowling by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). In December, a second test conducted in Chennai showed no improvement, leaving Shakib only eligible to play as a batter.

"Shakib is in the process of addressing the issues with his bowling action," Lipu explained. "As his test results remain negative, he can only contribute as a batsman. When structuring the squad, we couldn't justify including him solely as a batter."

Shakib's exclusion comes as another setback in what has been a turbulent period for the former captain. Political controversies earlier in the year led to protests that delayed his return to Bangladesh cricket, and plans to retire from Test cricket during the October-November home series also fell through.

Meanwhile, Litton's exclusion stems from an alarming slump in form. Over his last five ODI innings, Litton managed just six runs, including three ducks, in matches against the West Indies and Sri Lanka. The selectors cited his inability to convert opportunities at the top of the order as a key concern.

"Litton's struggles have been evident," Lipu said. "As a batter, he has consistently failed to capitalise on the powerplay, often exposing the No. 3 position too early. We trusted him and gave him many chances, even after dropping him during the series-deciding match against Sri Lanka. However, at the moment, we can no longer justify his inclusion."."

Lipu also confirmed that Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan Tamim would form the opening pair for the Champions Trophy.

"There's no doubt about Litton's class and ability, but his current form and repeated patterns of dismissal make it clear he needs time away from the team to work on his weaknesses," Lipu added. "This isn't the end for him. He has a lot of cricket ahead, and we are confident he can make a strong comeback after addressing these issues."

The Champions Trophy, set to begin on 20 February, with Bangladesh's first match scheduled against India in Dubai. The team will then face New Zealand and Pakistan in the group stage.