Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl against Ireland in the first T20I in Chattogram. Captain Litton Das's decision to field first comes amidst controversy regarding team selection.
Team Lineups
Ireland's lineup features the Tector brothers, Tim and Harry, alongside captain Paul Stirling in the top order. Their bowling attack is spearheaded by Mark Adair and Josh Little.
Bangladesh's top order excludes Mahidul Islam, a decision that has raised eyebrows. Litton Das has openly criticized the selectors for dropping Shamim Hossain. The hosts are fielding five bowlers, with Tanzim Hasan expected to bat at No. 7.
- Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt, wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam
- Ireland: Paul Stirling (capt), Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little
Selection Controversy
Litton Das has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the selection process, claiming he was not consulted about the exclusion of Shamim Hossain. He stated that learning about squad changes through press releases is unacceptable for a captain. This outburst has overshadowed the series itself, raising questions about the management of the Bangladesh team.
Litton emphasized the importance of a captain being informed about squad changes, highlighting that he feels obligated to accept decisions even if he disagrees. He even hinted at potential issues during the World Cup if the same practices continue.
Chief Selector's Response
Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu's explanation following Litton's comments has further highlighted the communication gap between the captain and the selectors. The controversy puts added pressure on the team as they face Ireland in this T20I series.