Bangladesh’s T20I captain Litton Das has expressed uncertainty about his fitness for the first T20I against Australia on Wednesday, June 17, in Chattogram.
Das sustained a muscle tear during the third ODI, prompting the inclusion of Soumya Sarkar as a precaution. The team is also checking on backup wicketkeeper-batter Parvez Hossain Emon, who is suffering from fever and tonsillitis.
“I feel better than before, but we’ll assess my condition today and make a decision tomorrow. Soumya was brought in because I was unsure about my situation, and we want to be prepared,” Das said, according to Cricbuzz.
“Emon has a mild illness, so we needed to have a backup ready. Soumya may not practice today, but he will be available from tomorrow,” he added.
Bangladesh recently achieved a 2-1 series win over Australia, a historic first for the team. Das noted that while this win boosts their confidence, they must adjust to a different format.
“Winning against a strong team like Australia is significant. We played well in all three matches, which is encouraging. However, the T20 format and our teams are different from ODIs. Most of our players have ODI experience, which gives us confidence. On match day, we need to perform at our best,” he stated.
Das mentioned he is looking for greater contributions from the lower-order batters and recognizes the aggressive nature of T20 Cricket.
“To defeat any team, we need to excel on the day. Our lower middle order must step up when given the chance. This format is challenging, as all teams aim to play aggressively. Australia, being a strong side, will also put forth their best effort,” he noted.
Das also showed support for left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam, who took six wickets in the ODI series.
“Shoriful doesn’t see himself as not being a first choice. Our pace bowlers are strong across formats, and we can only play three pacers at a time. If those three perform well, a player may have to sit out. Shoriful has played in several recent series, and his performances have been promising,” he added.