With the ICC T20 World Cup a year away, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has placed its trust in Litton Das to lead the side through the crucial buildup to the global event. The 30-year-old, known for his elegant strokeplay, has now been officially confirmed as Bangladesh’s T20I captain until the next World Cup.

BCB also announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming T20I assignments in the UAE and Pakistan. This will mark Litton’s first assignment as a full-time captain.
Nazmul Abedin Fahim, Chairman of BCB’s Cricket Operations, confirmed the decision on Sunday as part of a broader long-term strategy.

“As we mentioned earlier, we have selected the captain with a long-term plan in mind. Litton Das will lead the side until the T20 World Cup next year,” Fahim said at a press conference at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

“For Litton, experience has been an important factor. We don’t have many experienced players in the current setup. While there were discussions about his form, we believe he has the potential. If he can organize his game, he’ll be an asset to the team,” he added.

Fahim also noted that Shak Mahedi Hasan has been named vice-captain for the next two T20I series, indicating a period of experimentation and transition.
“Mahedi is almost an automatic pick in this format. His tactical awareness stood out to us. But this is not a permanent appointment—just for two series. We want to build a future captain under the guidance of the current one,” he said.

However, T20s aren’t the only format facing a leadership void. Both the ODI and Test captaincy roles remain unfilled—something Fahim acknowledged the board is working to resolve soon.
“We will announce the ODI and Test captains soon. It’s necessary to fill up the vacuum. Test matches may come in two to two-and-a-half months’ time, and while we could announce the captain a week before that, leadership isn’t just about the match—it’s a full-time responsibility,” Fahim explained.

Chief Selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu echoed similar sentiments, particularly on how Litton fits into this transition period.
“We always speak to the captain and coaches before finalizing the squad. But this time, the decision came late and we didn’t have much time. Still, the coaching panel and selectors worked together,” said Lipu.

“Ahead of the World Cup, we’ll have the Asia Cup, and bilateral series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India. There will be plenty of chances to experiment. We want to head into the tournament with a performing unit—and Litton will play a key role in that.”
On the tactical side, Litton is expected to take on the No. 3 batting position in the T20 lineup, a spot that demands both stability and aggression.
“I think he’ll bat at three. That position demands impact, and the team will try to prepare him accordingly,” Lipu said.

“With the added responsibility of captaincy, Litton needs to deliver. Opponents have been targeting him with specific plans. With the new coach’s guidance, we hope that can be addressed. Ultimately, though, it’s the player’s responsibility,” he concluded.