Bangladesh T20I skipper Liton Das has called on his side to enjoy their cricket and play with freedom as they begin a two-match series against the UAE in Sharjah today.
Recently appointed as captain following Najmul Hossain Shanto’s resignation, Liton delivered a composed message ahead of the series opener, stressing the importance of process over pressure.
“The message will be the same for everyone — to stay relaxed,” Liton said in a video statement after the team’s training session on Friday. “This format comes with a lot of mental challenges. I want every player to play freely in their role and enjoy the game without worrying too much about the result. The result will come — what matters is how well we follow the process.”
Liton also highlighted that, while winning both matches remains the immediate goal, the team is equally focused on addressing recent shortcomings, particularly in the top order — an area that has plagued Bangladesh’s T20 performances in recent months.
“Our first goal in these two matches is to win both — that’s our top priority,” he added. “At the same time, we’ll try to address the issues we’ve been working on recently and make progress in those areas.”
With just three T20Is played between the two sides — all won by Bangladesh — the Tigers may enter as favourites, but Liton remains wary of the 15th-ranked UAE side, especially on home turf.
“UAE are a very good team on their home soil. They play here regularly and have a good understanding of the conditions,” he said. “But our team is also very good. We’ll try to adapt and play good cricket.”
The series offers Bangladesh not just a chance for victory but also an opportunity for reflection, growth, and form recovery — including for Liton himself, who will be looking to find runs after a recent dip in form.