Opener Liton Kumar Das Tuesday recalled his maiden ODI century, against India at the Asia Cup final in the UAE.
Liton’s 121 runs off 117 balls had given the Tigers a brilliant start. But a late collapse in the batting order saw the strong Indian batting line-up chase a moderate target. Bangladesh eventually lost the final agonisingly in the last ball of the game.
Liton was under pressure before the match as regular opener Tamim Iqbal had earlier been ruled out due to injury. The other openers were not performing well. Before the final, Liton in his five ODI innings scored six, 41, seven, six and nought.
But the right-hander went on to smash a blistering century that will certainly give him more confidence and stand him in good stead for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe.
Rabbi: Shakib irreplaceable, I want to play my way https://t.co/azSWLvlUXJ#Bangladesh team started their training camp at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National #Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Monday ahead of the three-match ODI series against #Zimbabwe.
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 15, 2018
And ahead of the first of three ODIs against Zimbabwe, scheduled for Sunday, Liton informed that he wants to perform more consistently in the international level.
“I was on the backfoot for a long time. It was the first century in my life, so it was significant to score my maiden hundred in the Asia Cup final. Now my main target is to perform regularly. I want to take that mindset into the international level. I am not a regular opener yet. I am still new. Only Tamim bhai has been a constant performer over the years. I want to be consistent as well,” said Liton to the media.
Liton admitted such innings will help him to gain more confidence to perform better in the international level, but he said he needs to start afresh as every innings is a new challenge.
“Yes, I scored a century in the last innings. But I don’t think it is too significant. I have to do well in every game. Of course this innings had a big impact but I have to start the next game from zero. A good performance helps a player. But when one is not performing, it leaves doubt,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.
A confident Mohammad Mithun said he is looking to make a permanent spot for himself in the @BCBtigers side.https://t.co/grxGu7qYpE#MITHUN #MOHAMMAD #MOHAMMADMITHUN #BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #CRICKET #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKETTEAM #TEAM #NATIONAL #MM #ZC
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 14, 2018
“The pressure has released a little. I have some belief in myself, which usually comes to a person when he does something good. But I know I have to perform well from the next match as well. I might get out scoring zero in the next game. So I have to capitalise my good form and be focused on performing more consistently for the team,” he concluded.
Liton has played a four-day match after the Asia Cup and scored a brilliant 203 in the second innings, off just 142 balls, for Rangpur against Rajshahi in the National Cricket League.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe team arrived in Dhaka Tuesday while the Tigers resumed training at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The second day of practice started in the afternoon with a skill session.
All-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz and pacer Rubel Hossain did not take part in training due to fever.