Litton Das's century (138 runs) in the Rawalpindi Test helped Bangladesh seal series by 2-0 margin. Bangladesh created history beating Pakistan at their home.
Bangladesh created history when they whitewashed Pakistan 2-0 in the two-match Test series, registering just their third series win overseas. Bangladesh posted a come-from-behind win in the second Test at Rawalpindi, making the series win even sweeter for the Tigers.
They were reduced to 26/6 in the first innings responding to Pakistan’s 274 and were in danger of being asked to follow on. However, Litton Das rose to the occasion to craft one of the best Test innings of his career, scoring 138 while batting at No. 7 to take Bangladesh’s innings to 262 and reduce the deficit to just 12 runs. Deservedly, he was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for his brilliant ton.
Here’s a look at Litton’s brilliantly crafted 138 that inspired Bangladesh to post a series win.
Litton shows great maturity
Pakistan pace bowlers Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza were breathing fire, taking 6 Bangladesh wickets in just 12 overs to reduce the opponents to 26/6 in the first innings. Bangladesh faced the danger of following on, but Litton, at No. 7, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, at No. 8, had other plans. Litton dropped anchor, cutting off all risky shots to break the momentum of the Pakistan bowlers. Miraz played his natural game to keep the scoreboard ticking. When the stand between the two players reached 52 runs, Miraz had made 36 runs off 53 balls with 7 fours, while Litton was batting on just 13 runs off 45 balls with 1 four.
When the ball became a bit older, Litton unleashed his strokes, smashing three straight fours against Khurram. When Bangladesh’s first innings reached 107/6, Litton had gone ahead of Miraz, with the former batting on 42 with 8 fours and the latter on 35. Litton played according to the game’s situation, keeping the team’s interests in mind, and exhibited great maturity. Once the tide was over, Litton and Miraz made full use of the good batting conditions to milk the Pakistan bowlers. The two posted a match-winning stand of 165 runs for the seventh wicket.
Litton credits Miraz for breaking the momentum of Pakistan’s bowlers. He said, “When me and Miraz were batting, the credit actually goes to Miraz because the way he faced 20 balls, and (if he) hits five or six fours, the game will be easier…They had good momentum. We had to kill that momentum. And let's see what happens next.”
However, the work was still incomplete. Litton then combined with their No. 10 batter, Hasan Mahmud, to put up a stand of 69 for the ninth wicket, with the latter contributing only 13 runs. Litton showed maturity not to throw his wicket away, looking for quick runs in the company of tailenders. “When Hasan came, I didn't have any scoring opportunities,” Litton said. "So I took my time and thought I had to play the over, not the ramp or anything.” This maturity eventually helped Bangladesh lower the deficit to just 12 runs.
Litton’s technical brilliance was on full display
When the chips are down, true Test cricketers come to the fore. Litton Das showed that in the Rawalpindi Test as he displayed how an innings is constructed when the back is against the wall. First, he cut all risks and dropped anchor to stop the quick succession of wickets. He left as many balls as possible and got the main pacers tired and off their rhythm. He then scored runs when the ball had become old and targeted the weaker bowling options of Pakistan.
He ensured his shot-making was perfect in those situations, as he controlled himself from playing his favourite lofted shots when Bangladesh needed a partnership to rescue the innings. Later, he took charge and brought out his full range of strokes against the same bowler, Khurram, who had destroyed Bangladesh’s top order. He also showed full faith in a No. 10 batter to put up another fifty-run stand to all but reach Pakistan's first-innings total. It was a true Test cricket knock.
Fitness, concentration, and work ethics
Not to forget Litton was the keeper for Bangladesh in the Rawalpindi Test. He kept wickets throughout the first day of play and was back in the middle the next day in the 12th over before keeping again in the fag end of the day. It proves a lot about Litton’s physical fitness and mental toughness to be in the thick of the action for two days straight. If a player of his calibre bats at No. 7 for Bangladesh, it bodes well for the team that have tougher challenges ahead in the current World Test Championship cycle.
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