Litton rues lack of preparation after Pakistan defeat

Bangladesh captain Litton Das blamed the team’s lack of preparation and unfamiliarity with the wicket after their six-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the Asian Games semifinal in Nagoya on Thursday, a result that ended their hopes of winning gold.

Bangladesh were restricted to 111-7 in 13 overs after losing the toss. They then reduced Pakistan to 53-4 but failed to maintain the pressure as Pakistan reached the target with nine balls to spare.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

For Litton, the biggest problem was that Bangladesh had little opportunity to understand the conditions before the match.

Read more

No gold this time either as Pakistan knock out Tigers

“Once a 20-over game is played on a wicket, you get an idea about how it behaves. We had no idea because we hadn't watched any game here in the last few days and we didn't have the opportunity to practise on the wicket,” Litton said after the match.

“So we played the first few overs without an idea. Gradually, the batters got an idea.”

Bangladesh slipped to 21-3 after being asked to bat, but Tawhid Hridoy's 25-ball 42 helped them recover. Litton credited the right-hander and Mosaddek Hossain for rebuilding the innings.

“Credit goes to Hridoy for bringing the team back from that position. The partnership between Mosaddek and Hridoy was very good,” he said.

Bangladesh then made early inroads into Pakistan's chase, leaving the match evenly poised at 53-4. But they could not sustain the pressure in the middle overs, with Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz taking Pakistan home.

“I think if we could have bowled a little better in the middle overs, and conceded fewer sixes, we would have had a better chance,” Litton said.

Read more

Sun finally shines as Tigers brace for Pakistan

The captain also defended his decision to use Mustafizur Rahman, who conceded 41 runs in two overs.

“There were many options. If Mustafiz had taken three wickets today, you wouldn't have asked this question. He has been doing it for so long. I felt Mustafiz was the best option and I used him.”

Bangladesh had targeted a place in the final before leaving for Japan, but that ambition has now ended. They will face the winners between India and Sri Lanka for the bronze-medal match.