Why is Soumya Sarkar Replacing Litton Das for the Afghanistan T20Is?
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Synopsis
Bangladesh faces a challenge as their captain, Litton Das, is sidelined due to injury. In this critical time, Soumya Sarkar makes a comeback, adding depth to the squad. Can Jaker Ali lead the team effectively in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan? Discover the implications of these changes for Bangladesh cricket.
Key Takeaways
- Litton Das is out due to a side strain.
- Soumya Sarkar returns to strengthen the batting lineup.
- Jaker Ali continues as captain despite recent form issues.
- Bangladesh's performance in Sharjah has been inconsistent.
- The squad remains mostly unchanged from the Asia Cup.
Dhaka, Sep 28 (NationPress) Bangladesh will be missing their regular captain Litton Das for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah, as he has been ruled out due to a side strain. Soumya Sarkar has been brought back into the squad, while Jaker Ali will serve as the stand-in captain.
Litton missed the last two matches for Bangladesh in the Asia Cup against India and Pakistan, and team physio Bayjedul Islam confirmed that scans have shown a grade 1 strain.
“He (Litton Das) missed the previous two matches in the Asia Cup due to a side strain. An MRI has revealed a grade 1 strain in his left abdominal muscle,” Bayjedul was quoted by ESPNCricinfo. “He is currently in recovery and will not be available for the T20 series. The medical staff will continue to oversee his rehabilitation and monitor his recovery process.”
Sarkar, aged 32, makes a comeback to the shortest format after being sidelined by injuries earlier this year, which kept him out of the T20I series against the UAE and Pakistan. His last T20I match was against the West Indies in December 2024. The experienced left-hander’s return will strengthen Bangladesh’s batting lineup as they look for consistency at the top.
Jaker Ali, who led Bangladesh in the last two Asia Cup matches during Litton’s absence, will continue as captain despite struggling with the bat recently. The wicketkeeper-batter has recorded single-digit scores in his last three outings, missing the mark as a finisher.
Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan on October 2, 3, and 5 in their second T20I series in Sharjah. The venue has not been favorable for Bangladesh, who lost a bilateral T20I series to the UAE 2-1 in May and also fell to Afghanistan there in 2022.
The 15-member squad remains largely consistent with the Asia Cup squad, with only Litton absent and Sarkar stepping in.
Bangladesh squad: Jaker Ali (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Soumya Sarkar.
Point of View
We remain unwavering in our support for the Bangladesh cricket team. The absence of Litton Das poses challenges, yet the inclusion of experienced players like Soumya Sarkar may provide the stability needed during this crucial series. We trust that Jaker Ali can rise to the occasion as captain, and we hope for a strong performance against Afghanistan.
NationPress
28/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Litton Das unavailable for the T20I series?
Litton Das has been ruled out due to a grade 1 side strain, confirmed by team physio Bayjedul Islam.
Who is replacing Litton Das in the squad?
Soumya Sarkar has been recalled to the squad to replace Litton Das.
Who will captain the team in Litton's absence?
Jaker Ali will continue to lead the team as the stand-in captain.
When are the matches against Afghanistan scheduled?
The T20I matches against Afghanistan are scheduled for October 2, 3, and 5.
How has the team's performance been in Sharjah?
Bangladesh has faced challenges in Sharjah, having lost a T20I series to the UAE and a match against Afghanistan in 2022.
