The ODI tri-series featuring the national teams of Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh officially commenced on October 17 in the UAE, with the opening fixture getting underway between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. However, right before the commencement of this inaugural encounter, the Bangladesh cricket team was dealt a severe blow in the form of captain Litton Das, who has been completely ruled out of the entire tri-series. The development regarding Litton Das being sidelined due to a hip injury was officially confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Failing the fitness test right before the match
Bangladesh team captain Litton Das was required to clear a fitness test right ahead of the opening tri-series fixture against Zimbabwe, but he failed to clear it and was forced out of the tournament at the very last moment. Regarding Litton Das's injury, the Bangladesh Cricket Board physiotherapist Bayezidul Islam Khan had stated on October 16 that Litton had complained of pain in his right hip joint. Following the complaint, the team management arranged for him to undergo an MRI scan, which revealed a problem in the joint, ultimately resulting in his exclusion from the tri-series.
Tawhid Hridoy steps in as the new captain
Following Litton Das being ruled out due to injury, vice-captain Tawhid Hridoy has now been handed the responsibility of leading the side in his place. Meanwhile, regarding the fitness status of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the board clarified that he is not yet ruled out of the tri-series; however, suffering from a fever, he did not travel to the stadium and stayed back at the hotel. This tri-series holds immense importance for the Bangladesh team, especially since they have successfully managed to directly qualify for next year's ODI World Cup, thereby giving them a crucial opportunity to test and try out some new players from a preparatory perspective.
