Litton puts BCB and selectors on the dock over Shamim's omission

Bangladesh skipper Litton Das has voiced strong frustration after Shamim Hossain was dropped from the squad for the first two T20Is of the three-match series against Ireland -- starting tomorrow in Chattogram -- without any prior communication from the selectors or the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Shamim, who scored just two runs across two matches in the recent T20I series against the West Indies and has struggled for form, was omitted from Bangladesh's final bilateral series before the ICC T20 World Cup. While the decision itself was not Litton's primary concern, he said the manner in which it was handled left him disappointed.

Speaking at the pre-series press conference in Chattogram on Wednesday, Litton revealed that he had received no notice from the selection panel and that the move had bypassed him entirely.

"Look, it would've been good if he was in the team. This is not my call -- it's totally the selectors' call. I don't know why the selectors removed Shamim from the team without giving me any notice. I always thought that when someone handles a team, at least the captain knows which players are coming in and going out," Litton told reporters.

He said he had always believed that a captain is kept informed about selection plans, including inclusions and omissions. Reiterating that Shamim's presence would have been beneficial, Litton added that he still had not received any explanation regarding the decision.

His remarks highlighted a growing disconnect between team management and selectors. According to Litton, the board had made it clear that he must work solely with the squad provided and would have no influence over player choices.

Shamim Hossain. Photo: AFP

"I've been told -- completely -- by the selection panel and the board that I have to work with whatever team they give me. So I don't have any say over which players I want or don't want. All this time I thought that as a captain one gets to plan and organise the team, but I've learnt recently that my job is simply to produce the best results with the team I'm given."

Litton said the decision would not affect the team environment but admitted it was "disappointing", particularly given the effort to build stability within the squad.

"You can't expect every player to perform every series. We've tried for a long time to settle the team. There was a time Shamim played extraordinary cricket, which we needed. For him to be dropped from that position is disappointing.

"As a captain, I'm sorry I couldn't back him. I don't expect all 15 players to perform every day. When someone struggles for two or three series, I should back him -- and I'm really sorry I couldn't give him that backing."