Why Soumya is not in the T20 squad against West Indies

After winning the ODI series 2-1 against West Indies, Bangladesh has announced the team for the T20 series. Regular captain Liton Kumar Das has returned from injury to the 15-member squad announced yesterday (Thursday) for the first two matches of the upcoming three-match series. However, top-order batter Soumya Sarkar did not find a place in this squad.

Soumya Sarkar was called up to the Bangladesh T20 team after a long time during the last Afghanistan series, mainly as a replacement for the injured Liton Das. However, due to visa complications at that time, he could not travel with the team to the United Arab Emirates, as a result of which he did not play against Afghanistan.

Although he was kept in the ODI series against West Indies at home, he was not kept in the team for the first two matches of the T20 series. With Liton Das returning to the team after recovering from injury, his place in the top order has been naturally filled. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu clarified in this regard, "Those who are regular in the top order have got a chance in the team."

In the current top order, along with captain Liton Das, Tanjid Tamim, Parvez Emon and Saif Hasan, who performed well in the recent Asia Cup, all have gained prominence among the selectors as regular performers. Saif Hasan is currently in great form.

On the other hand, Soumya Sarkar has been irregular in the national team for a long time. He last played a T20 for the national team against the West Indies in December 2024. Although the team for the last T20 has not been announced yet. Based on Soumya's good performance in the ODI series, the possibility of him getting a call-up in the team for the last match cannot be completely ruled out.

Bangladesh squad for the first two T20Is: Liton Das (captain), Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Zaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Sheikh Mehedi, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanjid Hasan Shakib, Taskin Ahmed and Shariful Islam.