Out-Of-Form Bangladesh Star Forced To Take Old Formula For Pakistan ODIs

Bangladesh cricketers in action (Source: AFP Photos)

Bangladesh have not been in action for a long time, especially after withdrawing from the T20 World Cup 2026. The Tigers will finally be on the field on March 11, as their three-match ODI series against Pakistan is set to begin in Mirpur.

While there will be a lot of focus on the series between the two subcontinental sides, Litton Das, in particular, will be under the scanner. The Mehidy Hasan Miraz-led side will hope Litton to shine more than anyone else, but his numbers in 50-over cricket lately have not been in his favour.

Bangladesh Coach Addresses Litton Das ODI Woes

In 2023, Litton Das batted 28 innings and could only aggregate 651 runs, averaging 26.04. To make it even worse, Litton averaged 1.2 in 2024, with six runs across five innings before registering a four-ball duck in his only 2025 ODI knock.

Right before the Bangladesh versus Pakistan ODI series, Bangladesh assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin spoke about the concerning Litton Das ODI form. While speaking on the subject with Cricbuzz, Salahuddin mentioned that “team is bigger than individual”, and Litton Das has to do what is necessary to be done.

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Litton will not be batting at his preferred batting position – opener – when Bangladesh and Pakistan face each other in the ODIs. Instead, he will be batting in the middle, and the Bangladesh coach explained why the sudden change would be happening.

"At this point there is a gap in the middle order as some of our experienced campaigner like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah retired and we feel we need another experienced campaigner to fill those vacant positions, and as a result we opted to bring him in the middle order," Mohammad Salahuddin told Cricbuzz.

Litton Das Test Numbers Back His ODI Demotion

Furthermore, the Bangladesh assistant coach highlighted how Litton has found his success in Tests by batting in the middle order. Salahuddin expected Litton to find the mojo while batting there, and also pointed out that he had success in the 2019 ODI World Cup in England.

"Litton's experience (in the middle order) is very important here and if you look at his Test cricket record, it's outstanding. He bats at six there, sometimes five or six. Litton performed well in two formats and struggled only in the ODI format in the recent past and we are hoping if he settles in the middle order during the series his experience will help our team," Salahuddin added.

"If you remember he batted in the middle order in the 2019 World Cup and played a brilliant innings of 90 odd runs against West Indies batting at six so he can manage batting at different positions and largely due to the fact he has the experience to bat at different positions,."

All three ODIs between Pakistan and Bangladesh will take place at Mirpur’s Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

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