'Mission remains same' for Liton as Bangladesh enter new era

The lack of a vice-captain in teams named by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had led many to question whether there is a plan in place to shape the future leadership. Finally, the board appointed wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das as deputy to Test captain Shakib Al Hasan ahead of the West Indies tour.

"New responsibility, new challenge. Mission remains the same, winning games for Bangladesh."

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— Liton Kumar Das, national cricketer and the vice-captain of the Test team

The right-hander's recent form and constant involvement in the match undoubtedly encouraged BCB higher-ups to consider the 27-year-old, who has so far played 33 Tests, 53 ODIs and 48 T20Is, for a leadership position.

The stylish batter is currently placed 12th in the ICC Test rankings, the highest-ever position attained by a Bangladeshi batter. He also has 724 rating points in those rankings, the most by any Bangladeshi in history.

Liton was quick to express his reaction on becoming the vice-captain.

"New responsibility, new challenge. Mission remains the same, winning games for Bangladesh," wrote the in-form batter, currently recharging batteries before the upcoming Windies tour, on his Facebook account on Thursday 

Liton Kumar Das and his wife Devashri Biswas Sonchita enjoying their time of late in London. Photo: Instagram @LD Sonchita

However, BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon did not explain why they had chosen Liton for the role. He only said that they had appointed a vice-captain because they were going to be giving more emphasis to Test cricket.

"We have only been successful in ODI cricket so far but we are going to emphasise Test cricket," said Papon while he was talking to the reporters after a board meeting today at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

"You will see what we are going to do in this regard.

"We don't have vice-captains in any format. We appointed a vice-captain for Tests today and we may to appoint vice-captains for the other two formats in the coming days," he added.

He further said that they had discussed three names and that there was a challenger to Liton for vice-captaincy. Although Papon did not disclose the third name, sources indicated that it was all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz.