Litton Das produced one of his finest Test innings to rescue Bangladesh from deep trouble and lift them to 278 all out on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh were under pressure for most of the day after Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the top and middle order. At tea, Litton stood unbeaten on 42 with Bangladesh relying heavily on him after wickets kept falling around him.
The pressure grew even more right after the break.
Taijul Islam, who had supported Litton well in the second session, was dismissed by Sajid Khan early in the final session. It was Sajid’s first wicket of the series and it left Litton with even less support.
But Litton did not back down.
He first brought up his 20th Test fifty off 94 balls with calm control. Then he shifted gears.
As Pakistan looked to wrap up the innings quickly, Litton responded with strokeplay. He drove beautifully through the covers, played hus typical pull shots and began attacking the bowlers with confidence.
Even after Taskin Ahmed’s dismissal, Litton kept going.
Shoriful Islam then gave him valuable support, allowing Litton to keep farming the strike and pushing Bangladesh closer to a respectable total.
The Bangladesh star batter eventually reached a magnificent century, his sixth in Test cricket. It was also his third Test hundred against Pakistan, meaning half of his Test centuries have now come against the same opponent.
Litton’s brilliant innings finally ended on 126 from 159 balls, but by then he had transformed Bangladesh’s day.
From collapse scare to a total giving something to the bowlers, Litton almost single-handedly changed the story of the innings.
Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 278 in 77 overs, a total that looked unlikely when they kept losing wickets through the first two sessions.
Khurram Shahzad led Pakistan’s bowling attack with four wickets for 81 on his return to the side, while Mohammad Abbas also made crucial early breakthroughs.
But the session belonged to Litton, whose brave and brilliant century turned a batting collapse into a competitive first innings.
