The Asian Games will be about more than simply adding another tournament to the calendar for Bangladesh. T20I captain Litton Das has his sights set on the final and believes the team have prepared well enough to chase the gold medal in Nagoya.
Speaking to the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday before the team’s departure, Litton said two practice matches had given the squad valuable preparation after a long gap from T20I cricket.
“The preparation has been very good. We got the opportunity to play two practice games after a long time,” Litton said. “We last played a T20I series in Zimbabwe, so these practice games gave us the chance to build bonding as a team. From a preparation point of view, I think we are very good.”
Litton, who will be playing at the Asian Games for the first time, said representing Bangladesh at a multi-sport event carries special significance.
“Obviously, the target is to play the final and hopefully do something good there,” he said. “This is my first time playing in the Asian Games. I think it is a big thing to represent the national team and also compete at an event like this.”
The rarity of the Asian Games has added to the excitement within the Bangladesh camp. Unlike bilateral series and franchise competitions, the multi-sport event does not come around every year.
“Everyone is very excited because this tournament does not come every year,” Litton said. “The bigger dream is to win the gold, and we will all try to fulfil that.”
The prospect of cricket eventually returning to the Olympics is also on the players’ minds, but Litton stressed that Bangladesh cannot afford to look beyond their immediate challenge.
“Who does not want to play in the Olympics? But first, we have to play this event well,” he said. “Our focus is on how we can perform well here and reach the final.”
For now, Litton wants Bangladesh to keep their ambitions in check while taking the tournament one game at a time.
“In cricket, we always say match by match, so that is how we will go,” he said.
