Liton called up as cover for Mushfiqur
Liton Das
|| CF Correspondent ||
Liton Das has been included in Bangladesh’s squad as cover for Mushfiqur Rahim ahead of the second Test against West Indies.
Mushfiqur injured his right thumb during practice on Wednesday (November 28). Though nothing serious was found in the X-ray report, he has been given a day’s rest. But he is still feeling pain while wearing gloves.
“Liton has been kept [in the squad] as a backup just in case [Mushfiqur’s] pain increases or there is any problem. We wanted to make sure that we have a backup plan,” said Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan.
“From what I know, Mushfiq bhai will play and also be doing both [batting and wicket-keeping],” he added.
With Imrul Kayes out of the squad, uncapped Shadman Islam is likely to open for the Tigers along with Soumya Sarkar. Hence, Liton’s batting position remains unknown, in case he joins the team to take the wicketkeeping role and Mushfiqur plays as a batsman.
“We know who will open for us. If Mushfiq bhai cannot be keep wicket, Liton will do it.
“It would be very difficult for him [Liton] to open and take the wicketkeeping role at the same time,” Shakib said.
Liton, who was part of Bangladesh Cricket League franchise Walton Central Zone, did not resume playing on the second in the second round game against BCB North Zone. He played an 84-run innings in the previous round, helping his team register a victory against defending champions Prime Bank South Zone.
The second Test will start on November 30, in Dhaka. Mushfiqur set the record for the highest individual Test innings (219*) for Bangladesh in his last Test in Dhaka, against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ariful Haque, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Nayeem Hasan
