Bangladesh opener Liton Das focuses on playing deep into the innings in order to put up an impactful contribution for the team.
The right-handed batsman made the revelation following his match-winning century against visitors Afghanistan in the second match of the three-ODI series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the port city Friday.
Bangladesh opted to bat first and saw Liton post 136 runs off 126 alongside Mushfiqur Rahim’s 86 to boost the total to 306 for four after 50 overs.
Later the hosts restricted Afghanistan to 218 inside 46 overs and secured an 88-run victory.
The home side won the series 2-0 with a game to spare and also stormed to the top of the ICC Super League with 100 points.
Liton scored his fifth ODI century – second in last five games – and continued performing in the format.
Since 2020, Liton has scored 704 runs in ODIs, which includes four centuries in 16 innings, averaging 46.93.
The wicketkeeper-batsman is now the fastest Bangladesh batter to reach five ODI centuries – in just 49 innings.
“It is my job to score runs and play big innings as an opening batter. My primary target is always to bat 35 overs. I believe with the caliber I have; I can score around 80 odd runs if I can bat the 35 overs. So I was moving with that mindset. We were having a good partnership. We thought to propel the scoreboard after 40 overs as we both were set,” said Liton to the media following the game.
Liton before his departure in the 47th over partnered with Mushfiq to add 202 runs, which is now the highest third wicket partnership for Bangladesh, and fourth highest stand in terms of runs.
This had come on the back of a shaky start for Bangladesh as opener Tamim Iqbal departed for 12 and then Shakib al Hasan for 20.
“The partnership was important because we know the kind of spinners they have. So Mushi bhai and I were trying to carry the innings as deep as possible. We were set batters, the more we were able to carry, the easier it would to be for the batters to come. But eventually the batters later in the lineup did not get much time. But we had that plan and it was successful,” said Liton.
Speaking on his success for around two years now in ODIs, Liton informed that it is important to follow a particular process and not think much of the game when off the field.
“You get success if you have the right mindset. You all are now seeing the century but there have been many innings where I could not score. That’s how cricket is. As an opener you always have the opportunity to play big innings but you will sometimes be successful and sometimes not. I faced the best two bowlers of the opposition when I got to bat, so the challenge is always there,” said Liton.
“I try to follow a set process in the practice sessions irrespective of whether I am doing well or bad. I think what I strongly follow is I do not think much of the game afterwards,” the 27-year old added.
