Litton, Afif return as Bangladesh name squad for Pakistan ODI series

Bangladesh have recalled experienced wicketkeeper batter Litton Das and all-rounder Afif Hossain to the national squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made several changes to its lineup ahead of the home contest.

The BCB announced the 15-member squad on Thursday, with the series scheduled to begin on March 11 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The remaining matches will take place on March 13 and March 15 at the same venue, marking Bangladesh’s first ODI assignment of the year on home soil.

The selection panel, led by Gazi Ashraf Hossain, introduced several adjustments compared with the squad that last played an ODI series against the West Indies in October. The most notable inclusions are Litton and Afif, who return after spending time outside the national setup.

Litton Das returns to strengthen top order

Litton Das’s return is seen as a move to reinforce Bangladesh’s batting lineup, particularly at the top order where the team has struggled with consistency in recent matches. The wicketkeeper-batter had been out of Bangladesh’s ODI plans since mid-2025 but has now regained the selectors’ confidence.

Despite facing scrutiny over his recent performances, Litton remains one of the country’s most technically sound batters in limited-overs cricket. The team management believes that his experience and ability to play attacking cricket in the powerplay overs can provide Bangladesh with much-needed stability at the start of the innings.

Selectors also indicated that Litton has been working closely with coaches to refine his approach in the 50-over format, suggesting that the recall is part of a broader plan to rebuild Bangladesh’s batting structure.

The right-handed batter’s inclusion adds experience to the lineup at a time when Bangladesh are gradually reshaping their limited-overs squad with a mix of youth and seasoned campaigners.

Afif Hossain makes comeback after long absence

All-rounder Afif Hossain is another major returnee in the squad. The middle-order batter has not played international cricket since December 2024 but is now set to rejoin the national side in the ODI format.

Afif’s ability to contribute both with the bat and as a part-time off-spinner gives the team additional flexibility in team composition. Over the past few seasons, he has been regarded as a dependable middle-order option capable of accelerating the scoring rate during the latter stages of an innings.

Selectors believe Afif’s return could help address Bangladesh’s long-standing middle-order issues, especially in matches where quick runs are required in the final overs.

His comeback also signals the management’s willingness to bring back players who have shown potential but were sidelined during earlier squad rotations.

Pace attack boosted by returning bowlers

Alongside Litton and Afif, the BCB also recalled fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam for the Pakistan series. Both pacers add depth and variety to Bangladesh’s pace attack, which has been undergoing transition in recent years.

Shoriful Islam, known for his ability to swing the new ball, has already established himself as a regular in Bangladesh’s white-ball squads. Nahid Rana, meanwhile, is considered one of the emerging fast-bowling prospects in the domestic circuit.

Their inclusion suggests Bangladesh are keen to field a balanced bowling attack capable of challenging Pakistan’s strong batting lineup.

Several players dropped from the squad

While the squad announcement brought back a number of familiar faces, it also meant the exclusion of several players who featured in the previous ODI setup.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali, Nurul Hasan, Shamim Hossain, and spinner Nasum Ahmed have all been left out of the squad for the Pakistan series.

The selectors’ decision reflects their attempt to reshape the team and experiment with different combinations ahead of future international tournaments.

In addition to the omissions, Bangladesh will also be without two pacers Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Hasan Mahmud who are unavailable due to injuries.

Their absence forced the selectors to reconsider the pace bowling department and introduce alternative options.

Bangladesh prepare for crucial home series

The ODI series against Pakistan will be an important test for Bangladesh as they aim to rebuild their limited-overs momentum after missing the T20 World Cup. Playing at home offers them an advantage, but Pakistan remain a formidable opponent with a strong bowling attack and explosive batting lineup.

The matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, a venue traditionally known for assisting spin bowlers and producing competitive contests in white-ball cricket.

Bangladesh’s team management will be keen to see how the returning players perform, especially Litton and Afif, who are expected to play key roles in the batting lineup.

The series could also provide opportunities for emerging players to prove themselves on the international stage.

Strategic rebuilding in Bangladesh’s ODI setup

Bangladesh’s selection strategy in recent months indicates a broader effort to restructure the ODI side ahead of upcoming international tournaments. The recall of experienced players like Litton and Afif suggests the team is trying to strike a balance between stability and experimentation.

Selectors have repeatedly emphasized the need for consistency in the batting order and greater flexibility in the middle overs. Bringing back players with international experience could help address those challenges.

At the same time, the inclusion of younger bowlers and the exclusion of some regular names underline the ongoing competition for places in the national squad.

As the three-match series approaches, Bangladesh will be hoping that the new-look lineup can deliver improved performances and build momentum in the 50-over format.

With home conditions, returning players eager to prove themselves, and a competitive opponent in Pakistan, the upcoming ODI series promises to be a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s cricketing calendar.

Squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.