Middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy has been appointed the new vice-captain of the Bangladesh T20 International squad, replacing top-order batsman Saif Hassan, who voluntarily stepped down from the role to focus on his batting.
The structural shake-up to Litton Das's led side was confirmed by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Habibul Bashar during a press conference following the squad announcement on Thursday.
Saif, who was appointed Litton's deputy ahead of the last Asia Cup, requested the board to relieve him of his leadership duties following a prolonged slump in form.
"Our regular T20 vice-captain Saif Hassan personally requested us to relieve him of this responsibility," Habibul Bashar said.
"His goal is to concentrate heavily on his batting rather than carrying the additional pressure of leadership. The board respected his decision, and we have decided that Towhid Hridoy will take over as the T20 team's new vice-captain."
Hridoy brings existing leadership experience to the national setup, having regularly captained at the domestic level, including his current stint leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL).
Bashar noted that the selection committee was thoroughly impressed by Hridoy's tactical growth during the domestic tournament.
"I watched him captain Mohammedan throughout this DPL season, and his leadership genuinely impressed me," Bashar added.
"He proved himself in all the areas we look for in a leader. His captaincy, sense of responsibility, on-field behavior, and ability to manage the team under pressure have all been highly positive," he further said.
While external discussions often link young leaders to long-term captaincy roles, the chief selector remained focused on immediate goals, expressing confidence that Hridoy is currently the most suitable fit to support Litton.
"Only time will tell what the future holds," Bashar said regarding Hridoy's long-term leadership prospects. "But right now, he is the best possible choice for the vice-captaincy, and that is why the board finalized his appointment." �"UNB
