After a diabolical World Cup campaign, Bangladesh cricket team players are now at break. However, it would not be for long. The Tigers have to return to the field soon ahead of the two-match Test series against New Zealand at home soil. The Kiwis are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on 21st November.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan will not be available for the first match. Therefore, vice-captain Litton Das was supposed to take the helm of the team.
However, now it looks like even Litton will not be able available for the Kiwi series as he applied for leave. He asked for this leave as his wife is pregnant. Chairman of the Department of Cricket Management Jalal Younus spoke to the wicketkeeper-batsman on Thursday. Liton and his wife however are expecting their first baby and the news was officially confirmed after he shared a 'baby shower' post in his verified facebook page.
Due to be with his wife, Liton returned to Bangladesh twice during the World Cup. As a vice captain of the Test team, Liton was supposed to lead the side in absence of Shakib but if he is allowed to opt out the series, the BCB would have to name a new captain.
It is known that BCB will take their own decision regarding Litton's leave on Thursday. Bangladesh will have to play with an inexperienced opening pair against the Kiwis if Litton is given leave due to family reasons.
"He sought a leave, stating his family problems. We'll decide what to do in his case," Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu said as his team is gearing up to select the Test squad for the series.
Meanwhile, pacer right hand pacer Taskin Ahmed was ruled out against the Kiwi Tests series as he suffered a muscle tear during the ICC World Cup while another fast bowler Ebadot Hossain has been in rehabilitation following the knee surgery.
The New Zealand cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on November 21. They will play two Tests. The first tests will kick off at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 26 November. The second and final test will commence at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on 6 December.
