Litton Das credits wicketkeeping for batting success
Having made three consecutive ducks coming into the Test, the keeper-bat bounced back with a good century against Afghanistan
Litton Das opined that keeping wickets has a positive effect on his batting, giving him a better understanding of the pitch and conditions. Bangladesh are in a strong position heading into the final day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, with Litton leading the way with a 102 off 117 balls, including 14 fours in what was his seventh Test century.
Litton, who was dropped on 14 and 26 before surviving a run-out chance on 46, reached his century off 115 balls. He added 149 runs for the seventh wicket with Mehidy Hasan (52 not out) before Bangladesh declared at 372 for 7, setting Afghanistan a target of 479.
Litton arrived to the Test on the back of three consecutive ducks but scored a half-century in the first innings. He credited his wicketkeeping for helping him with the bat, explaining that the time spent behind the stumps was very useful for him.
“It [wicketkeeping] definitely helps because behind the wickets, I can understand a lot of things, and get an idea about the pitch. That helps me a lot in my batting,” he said.
Meanwhile, with victory in sight, Litton believes Bangladesh's spinners could find success on the final day if they exploit the rough patches, although the pitch has not offered much assistance to spin so far.
"The wicket is not very spin-friendly. But by day five, sometimes balls start turning a lot from the rough patches. I hope that our spinners are already bowling in good areas, and by bowling in even better areas they will create pressure, and if they get a little help from the wicket, then the job will be easier for them,” he said.
While Bangladesh will be looking to seal a win on the final day, Afghanistan produced a resilient batting display in their chase of 479 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The hosts reached 132 for 3 at stumps on the fourth day, needing another 347 runs to win. Sediqullah Atal was unbeaten on 35 off 126 balls, while Hashmatullah Shahidi was 19 not out off 27 deliveries.
Atal said he was pleased with his effort and hoped Afghanistan could bat through the final day to secure a draw. “I'm quite happy the way I'm going, but I hope I continue this for tomorrow as well because we're just looking at how we can draw this match and how we can just bat longer and longer till the last session,” said Atal.
“So this is our main focus and we're just trying to do the basics right like we almost did today,” he said.
Atal added that batting alongside Rahmat Shah made his task easier, with the experienced batter guiding him from the other end.
Bangladesh made early inroads through Ebadot Hossain, who dismissed Abdul Malik with a delivery that held its line and took the edge in the opening over. Hasan Mahmud then removed Shahidullah, who had struck four boundaries, as Afghanistan slipped to 28 for 2.
Rahmat and Atal offered resistance with an 82-run stand off 214 balls before Ebadot struck again to dismiss Rahmat for 51 off 124 deliveries. The Afghanistan captain had earlier survived a straightforward chance at first slip on 16 but went on to become only the sixth batter in history to score a century and a fifty on his captaincy debut.
“If you look, he [Rahmat] is in such good form and he can tell you everything about the situation, about every bowler. So you will be very relaxed with him when you're batting with Shah Ji. So I'm quite lucky that I get the chance every time to bat with him,” said Atal.
Atal, known for his exploits in white-ball cricket, said controlling his attacking instincts remained one of his biggest challenges in the longest format. “I was part of the two Tests before but it was like for two-three day Test matches but this one is going longer and longer. So it's getting harder because of the hot weather as well and because of the big partnership the opposition makes,” said Atal.
“So it's a very tough game to play but I am trying to learn lots of things from this and try to work on it whenever I get a chance for the Test match.
“The hardest part is just to control your shots, to control your intent because you're not gonna get lots of favorite balls that you can hit. [In Test cricket] you have to calm yourself and spend more time.
“I'm just looking for these things because I want to become an all-format player and not only white-ball or just red-ball cricketer and so these things I'm trying to enjoy a lot,” he concluded.
