Parvez Hossain Emon replaced Litton Das in the Champions Trophy squad as the backup opener
13 January, 2025
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PHOTO:AFP
Bangladesh top-order batter Litton Kumar Das made a powerful statement following his exclusion from Bangladesh's Champions Trophy 2025 squad by scoring a brilliant century in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The Dhaka Capitals opener scored his maiden BPL century off just 44 balls, hitting 10 fours and 9 sixes. His explosive performance played a key role in securing the franchise’s first win of the season, breaking a six-match losing streak.
Das's knock made him the second-fastest Bangladeshi to score a century in BPL history, joining Chris Gayle, who also achieved the feat in 44 balls in 2012 against Sylhet Royals. Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad holds the record for the fastest BPL century, scored in just 40 balls.
Interestingly, Emon replaced Litton in the Champions Trophy squad as the backup opener.
In a post-match interview, the 30-year-old remained calm when asked if his performance was aimed at silencing critics.
“No brother, there is nothing to prove to anyone and I am not interested in proving anything to anyone,” said Das.
He continued, “At the back of my mind, I always feel how I can improve my cricket. I think I was not having a good time recently. The performance I gave today, I won’t say I will be able to do the same in the next game, but I will try to be consistent.”
When asked whether he had answered the selectors, Litton replied, "It's difficult to say if I have answered them (selectors) but now the ball is in the court of the selectors. They currently don’t think that I am fit for the team and that is why I am not in the squad."
“If they feel I am fit enough, they might give me the chance to make a comeback, but they are the ones to make the call. I am focusing on the BPL for now and thinking about how I can perform well,” he added.
The right-handed batter also revealed that although he had not received direct feedback from the selection panel, he was aware of the reasons behind his exclusion.
“A clear message was given (on why I was dropped), but that was not through the selectors. Why I was left out, you can get that in the media. It’s because I was not performing, and you (media) all did the news on it. It’s an open secret, and there is nothing to hide,” he said.
Regarding the Champions Trophy, Litton said, “As far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, I don’t have it in my hands as the call has been made by the selectors. They make the decisions on who will play and who won’t. My job is to perform, and I could not do it until now. I was upset about that and was thinking about how to deliver in a match.”
He concluded with a determined attitude, saying, “I carry the same mindset before and after the match. I always say what happened today is in the past, and I might have played a good innings today, but I will have to start from scratch tomorrow again. At the back of my mind, I know I have to construct my innings from the beginning. I will work hard, and let's see what happens.”
It is worth noting that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy on Sunday, with veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan being a notable absentee.
Bangladesh, placed in Group A, will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against India on February 20 in Dubai. They will also face New Zealand on February 24 and hosts Pakistan on February 27.
Bangladesh's squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.
