Litton upbeat despite rain washout, says Tigers ready for Asia Cup test

Bangladesh's final T20I of the three-match series against the
Netherlands in Sylhet was abandoned due to rain on Wednesday, denying the
Tigers a chance to complete a clean sweep. But captain Litton Das remained
upbeat, stressing that both his own form and the team's collective performances
have set Bangladesh up well for the Asia Cup beginning September 9 in the UAE.
"There
have been many good series back to back. I am performing, and this is also what
the team needs," Litton told reporters after the match. "When the
leader does not perform, the team's morale is a little down. From that point of
view, I will say everyone in my team is performing. I also had a challenge, and
I've shown improvement and that I can have an impact as part of a very happy
team."
Bangladesh clinched the series 2-0 after convincing wins in the
first two matches. Litton, himself, was adjudged the player of the series,
thanks to half-centuries in the first and last match, taking his tally to 145
runs at an overall strike-rate of 155.91.
While rain
played spoilsport and denied his side further opportunities to bat, Litton
pointed out that his side had already gained plenty of positives, particularly
from a strong top-order showing.
"No
one has control over the weather," Litton told reporters after the match
was called off.
"Of
course, it would have been better if more batters had got a chance, but the
important thing is we won convincingly in the first two games. That's a good
sign heading into a big event.
"The
fact that not all our batters needed to bat shows how well the top order was
doing. In the Asia Cup, there will come a day when everyone has to bat, and
that's fine but right now it shows we're in a good place.
The hosts
made five changes in the third match and even got the opportunity to bat first
and set a total for the first time in the series.
Saif
Hassan was promoted to open the innings as both first-choice openers -- Tanzid
Tamim and Parvez Emon -- were rested. The right-hander couldn't quite deliver,
departing for a 12 off eight balls. Litton, however, grabbed the opportunity of
batting first with both hands. He raced to 42 off 16 balls to propel Bangladesh
to 60-1 in 4.1 overs before rain interrupted play. After the break, though,
Litton could not replicate the same ferocity, adding 31 runs from 29 deliveries
to eventually finish on a 46-ball 73, featuring with six fours and four sixes.
Tawhid
Hridoy (nine off 14) and Shamim Hossain (21 off 19) struggled to get going, but
Jaker Ali (20 off 13) and Nurul Hasan Sohan (22 off 11) upped the ante with
brisk knocks to take Bangladesh to 164-4 in 18.2 overs before rain returned,
this time forcing the match to be abandoned.
Litton,
however, was not to keen on the shortcomings in preparations and wanted to
credit the Sylhet camp for the team's tune-up for the series and the Asia Cup.
"I
have never seen such a good camp. The type of cricket we wanted to play, the
type of practice we needed, that was possible here in Sylhet. Everyone got
quality preparation..
"We
are prepared. The camp, the series, the wins, everything has built us up well
for the challenge ahead," he added.
















