Bijoy replaces ailing Liton in Tigers’ Asia Cup squad

Bangladesh opener Liton Das was finally ruled out of the Asia Cup after failing to recover adequately from the viral fever.

The selection panel led by Minhajul Abedin Nannu announced Anamul Haque Bijoy as his replacement. He is due to arrive in Sri Lanka to join the Bangladesh team later today.

But it is unlikely that he would play the Bangladesh’s opening game against Sri Lanka tomorrow (Wednesday) straightway.

The 30-year old Bijoy has played 44 ODIs and has scored 1254 runs which include three hundreds. His last ODI appearance for Bangladesh was in December last year against India.

“He (Anamul) has been in the runs in domestic cricket and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers programme. He was always in our consideration,” Chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu said here today.

“Due to Litton’s unavailability, we needed a top-order batter who could keep wicket and Anamul got the nod.”

Liton is the second player from the Asia Cup squad to be ruled out after fast bowler Ebadot Hossain, who was sidelined after failing to recover from the injury.

Ebadot is currently in England for a treatment as he is keen to get him fit ahead of the World Cup in October-November.

Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy. (BSS)