Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons confirmed a tactical reshuffle ahead of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, pushing Litton Das down to No.5 in the batting order. The opening match begins Wednesday at Sher-e Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
The move marks a significant shift for the 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter. Litton spent most of his ODI career at the top of the order, yet Simmons now wants his experience and spin-hitting deeper in the innings.
Recent numbers explain the rethink. Litton failed to reach double figures in his last eight ODI innings. That run drought forced Bangladesh to rethink how they use one of their most naturally gifted stroke-makers.
Simmons framed the decision as both tactical and practical. Keeping wicket for fifty overs and then opening the batting drains energy quickly, and the coach clearly wants Litton fresher when he walks to the crease.
“It is very difficult to keep for 50 overs and then come and open,” Simmons explained. That line signals the physical reality behind the shuffle.
The coach also highlighted a more strategic reason. Bangladesh’s middle overs frequently stall, a problem Simmons openly labelled one of the side’s “Achilles’ heels”.
That phrase carries weight. Bangladesh often lose momentum between overs 20 and 40, where singles dry up and spin bowling squeezes the scoring rate.
Litton’s skillset fits that phase. “He’s one of our better players of spin,” Simmons said, clearly hoping the right-hander can rotate strike and punish loose deliveries when the field spreads.
The move does not arrive entirely from theory. Litton already showed his middle-order ability earlier in his career.
During the 2019 ICC World Cup he smashed an unbeaten 94 against West Indies at Taunton while batting at No.5. That innings still stands as his most fluent display in that position.
Statistics reinforce the memory. Litton scored 168 runs in four matches at No.5 at an average of 56, far stronger numbers than his returns at No.3 or No.4.
The coach also insists the player accepted the switch without hesitation. “He’s comfortable batting anywhere,” Simmons said, pointing toward a team-first mentality rather than personal preference.
Bangladesh also recalled Afif Hossain for the series, with the all-rounder likely to slot in at No.6. That pairing suggests a deliberate attempt to rebuild the middle phase of the innings.
Simmons even spelled out the tactical focus for the series. The team will track singles, boundaries and strike rotation during the middle overs, the period that often decides modern 50-over cricket.
