Bangladesh’s out-of-form batter Liton Kumar Das will have to score runs in the Test series to earn a spot in other formats, said a member of the national selection panel.

BCB’s newly appointed selection panel headed by Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu axed Liton from third ODI following his successive ducks in the opening two games of the three-match series.

However, many feel that his place in the T20I format is permanent considering he remained quite consistent in the shortest, though a selector begs to differ.

“He needs to get back to form because if you are not scoring in that case you are unlikely to shine in any specific format,” the selector told the Daily Sun on request of anonymity.

“We are hoping that he gets back into runs during the Test series considering it will help him gain back the confidence that he was lacking so badly in the recent past,” he said.

Liton missed the chance of getting back into runs as he scored on five runs from 19 balls Abahani Limited against Shinepukur Cricket Club in the ongoing Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League 2023-24.

Liton not opening the game raised quite a few eyebrows considering many felt his recent form forced Abahani team management to drop him at three, though Abahani’s head coach Khaled Mahmud begs to differ.

“No there is no question about nervousness, I think he (Liton) is a bit too tired. He was just informed yesterday that he will be playing the match and mentally he wasn’t that ready,” Mahmud told reporters at BKSP.

“It’s normal that when you don’t perform you are a bit down and there is pressure although I don’t feel there was any pressure in this game but still sometimes your head doesn't work,” he said.

“He (Liton) is a class player. He needs to go back to his basics and keep himself calm since the national team is under pressure. But I feel he is a player who can get back from here [DPL]. I feel one good innings will see him back in form,” he added.

National all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz echoed the same sentiment when his attention was drawn regarding Liton’s form.

“Liton da has played a lot of good innings. There are several memorable innings. I don’t think his being dropped is that much of an issue. I believe he can come back. He has that ability. We know what kind of player Liton is. He has been dropped, it’s nothing much. Maybe he is in a bit of off-form. I believe he will return to the Bangladesh team,” Mehidy said before adding that there is no place for non-performers in the national team.

“Everyone has their own thought process. It’s just that all the players need to perform. If you can’t perform, you can’t play anywhere in the world, let alone the national team. You have to play by performing. I think each player needs to get even more serious about performance. They need to work where they need to improve,” he said.

“You have to play in the national team by performing consistently. If I don’t play well, I will be dropped too. The national team is a place where you have to establish yourself through performing. Look, Mushfiq bhai is here after providing the Bangladesh team with service for a long time. There is Riyad bhai, who is still playing. Everyone has their ups and downs. I feel that it’s important to stay in the team by performing. You cannot get in the team by playing poorly. This is true for every player,” he concluded.