November 26, 2025: Bangladesh T20I captain Litton Das has openly criticized the national selectors for dropping middle-order batter Shamim Hossain from the squad for the first two T20Is against Ireland — and the worst part? Neither Litton nor head coach Phil Simmons were informed beforehand.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Ireland series, Litton didn’t hold back. He called the decision “disappointing,” said sorry to Shamim on behalf of the team, and revealed that he has been told he will have zero say in future squad selections.

What Exactly Did Litton Say?

In a powerful press conference, Litton made it clear he was kept completely in the dark:

He added that both he and coach Phil Simmons wanted Shamim in the squad, especially after his match-winning performances earlier in the year.

Litton even apologized directly to Shamim:

Why Was Shamim Hossain Dropped?

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain explained that they wanted to test wicketkeeper-batter Mahidul Islam Ankon in the middle order for the first two games. If Bangladesh wins the series early, they plan to experiment in the third T20I.

Shamim has indeed struggled recently — scoring single-digit scores in his last three T20Is — but Litton and many fans argue his overall contribution this year has been huge:

• Match-winning 48 vs Sri Lanka in Dambulla (July 2025)
• Quickfire knocks in the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
• Only Bangladesh batter to cross 20 in a tough game vs Pakistan

Many see him as a key part of Bangladesh’s aggressive T20 rebuild.

Selectors Fire Back: “We Don’t Need Captain’s Permission”

After Litton’s comments made headlines, chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain issued a strong response:

Gazi confirmed that the decision went through proper channels and was made in the best interest of the team.

Is the Captain Powerless Now?

Litton revealed something that shocked many cricket followers:

This is a big shift from how things worked under previous captains like Shakib Al Hasan or Tamim Iqbal, who often had strong influence over team composition.

Litton said he will still give 100% as captain, even if he disagrees with selections:

What Does This Mean for Bangladesh Cricket?

This public fallout comes at a bad time — just months before the 2026 T20 World Cup. Fans are already divided:

• Some support the selectors: “They know better than the captain.”
• Many back Litton: “A captain should at least be informed and consulted!”
• Others worry about team morale: “How can you build a team if the leader has no voice?”

Shamim Hossain, meanwhile, has stayed silent on social media — but the young batter now faces an uphill battle to regain his spot.

Final Thoughts

Cricket is a team game, but clearly, there’s some tension behind the scenes in Bangladesh camp right now. Litton Das has shown courage by speaking out — something rare among current players.

Whether this leads to better communication between selectors, captain, and coach… or creates more friction… only time will tell.

One thing is sure: Bangladesh fans want wins — and for that, everyone needs to be on the same page.

Do you think the captain should have a say in selection? Drop your thoughts below!