Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo termed the innings saving record partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das as the best he has ever seen.
Hosts Bangladesh were in deep trouble after opting to bat first on the opening day of the second and final Test of the series against Sri Lanka at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Monday.
The home side were literally shaken, losing five wickets with just 24 runs on the board inside seven overs in the first 50 minutes of the day.
Bangladesh then saw Mushfiq and Liton work on an epic recovery as they broke 63-year old Test record.
The duo at stumps had put on 253 unbroken runs for the sixth wicket to keep Bangladesh on track for a competitive first innings total.
In the process veteran right-handed batter Mushfiq registered back to back Test hundreds, remaining unbeaten on 115, while Liton posted his third century in the format in seven months and held to one side of the crease with 135 runs.
“It is one of the best partnerships I have seen as a coach in Tests. We were 20 (24) for five. Under a lot of pressure. It was an amazing effort by those two batters. Obviously, we didn’t start well this morning. Couple of false shots. Couple of good deliveries. Test cricket is hard but those guys showed amazing skill and character to get us in this good position,” said Domingo to the media at the post day press conference Monday.
Speaking of Liton’s effort, Domingo believes his recent form is a result of having developed a good batting technique.
The right-handed batter was in tremendous pressure following failure in the T20 World Cup 2021 but has since turned it around.
“I think technique is a very important aspect in international cricket. I think Liton has evolved his game. He has developed a very good batting technique. He has a found a good way to prepare for Tests in the last year and a half. Knowing when to do the work, and when not to do the work. He has developed a good routine. But he has a long way to go. He is a fantastic player, so easy on the eyes. He has so much time. But it is pretty much the start of hopefully a successful Test career. He has a lot of work to do. He has done amazing work in the last 18 months, but he is not the finished article,” said Domingo.
“He [Liton] has taken his game to the next level. I think batting lower down the order has helped him. He will definitely become Bangladesh’s No 4 or 5 in time to come. At No 6 and 7, takes the pressure off him. He can play with intent and positivity,” added the South African coach.
As for Mushfiq, Domingo is simply happy to see the right-handed batter back among the runs.
“He [Mushfiq] hits more balls than anybody I have ever seen. He has amazing determination and desire to do well. I think a lot of the players want a little bit of love and support particularly when things are not going well for you. For sure, he has worked a little bit on his technique in the last couple of games. But he knows how to get runs. It is all about supporting players who are going through a bad run. You don’t just get rid of quality players like that if they are going through a slump. Just be patient and back their ability,” said the Bangladesh coach.
Going into the second day of the series deciding game, Domingo pressed the importance of doing well in the first session.
Bangladesh will resume on their overnight score of 277 for five.
“All our focus is in the first session. We know that we are two wickets away from being in a tricky position again. The average score here in first innings here is 314. If these two can get through the first hour, it puts us in a really good position. If they can get us through to 300 with Mosaddek (Hossain) to come…we can’t think too far ahead. The rate was fantastic but knowing Mirpur, the game speeds up. You can bowl a side out in two or three sessions,” said Domingo.