Litton Das has carved out a role for himself in Bangladesh cricket that few others have been willing or able to fill: the man who holds the innings together when everything around him is falling apart. On Saturday in Sylhet, he did it again, scoring 126 from 159 balls after arriving at the crease with his side reeling at 116 for 6, guiding Bangladesh to a respectable 278 in the first innings of the second Test against Pakistan.
At the post-day press conference, Litton was reflective and candid about what the innings meant and what it required.
“My role is different. Sometimes the top order scores and I come in at 60 to 70 overs when the ball is turning. My game is to enjoy whatever situation comes. It was challenging, but there was plenty to enjoy too,” he said.
Litton has now scored six Test centuries, but he was clear that Saturday’s effort stands apart. In his previous rescue acts, he had at least one recognised partner alongside him: Mushfiqur Rahim against Sri Lanka, Mehidy Hasan Miraz at Rawalpindi. This time, he had Taijul Islam from almost the very start of his innings.
“At Rawalpindi, Miraz was with me. Against Sri Lanka, Mushfiq bhai was there. Today I had Taijul bhai from the beginning. Today’s innings was different,” he said.
He added that a century had not been his primary objective when he came to the crease. His first target was simply to get Bangladesh to 200.
“I sent a message to the dressing room asking whether to go attacking. The answer that came back from above was to play for runs. So that is what I did,” he said.
Litton admitted he was tense in the nineties, particularly when tail-ender Shoriful Islam was repeatedly struck on the pads by back-of-a-length deliveries.
“I was very anxious. Especially when the ball kept hitting Shoriful on the pad. I kept telling him to play forward. He is very tall and with that length, the ball will always threaten the pad. But he gave me great support,” he said.
On the manner of his eventual dismissal, pulling Hasan Ali to deep square leg, Litton acknowledged that Pakistan had targeted him with the short ball deliberately.
“Unfortunately, in the last two innings I got out to bouncers, and today as well. I think they had that in mind. Since I got out to bouncers in successive innings, it seemed the best option to them. But I actually enjoyed the bouncers,” he said.
With Bangladesh’s first innings now complete, Litton was focused on ensuring Pakistan do not take a first-innings lead. He identified the morning conditions at Sylhet as crucial for Bangladesh’s bowlers.
“We will definitely try to take the lead. The Sylhet wicket becomes more batting-friendly as the game goes on. If the morning is overcast, the first 10 overs are very important. Even one or two wickets then will put them under pressure,” he said.
