Bangladesh’s stand-in captain, Litton Das, has emphasized the importance of a relaxed approach for experienced players Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah as they make their comeback to international cricket in the forthcoming series. Instead of feeling pressured, he encourages them to savor the joy of the game.
Bangladesh is all set to go head-to-head with New Zealand in a thrilling three-match ODI series, set to kick off on September 21 at the iconic Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The spotlight is on Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah as they return to the One Day Internationals (ODIs). Mahmudullah, who last graced the field during the home series against England, is eager to secure his spot in the World Cup squad.
On the other hand, Tamim is making his comeback after a period of recovery from a back injury, though his match fitness remains a topic of discussion among fans and experts alike. During the pre-match press conference held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on September 20, Litton Das shared his perspective, stating, “When you have two seasoned players (Tamim and Mahmudullah) in the squad, it offers a wealth of experience that benefits the team in every aspect. Thery are coming back to play after a while and I don’t want to put any pressure on them. Let them enjoy the game because chance of success is much more if someone can enjoy the game.”
As the captain, Litton Das believes there’s no need to spell out specific roles for Mahmudullah or Soumya Sarkar, who is also making a comeback. He trusts in their wealth of experience, which equips them with a deep understanding of their roles within the team.
Litton Das elaborated, saying, “I don’t want to tell about any specific roles (to anyone) because it depends on different situations. If we lose quick wickets and Riyad (Mahmudullah) bhai goes to bat with 30 to 35 overs he will bat as per situation. The same applies to Soumya and, indeed, to every batter in the lineup. They all understand that contributing runs is crucial to our success, regardless of their batting positions.”
