Bangladesh’s interim Test captain, Litton Kumar Das, who assumed the role after Shakib was ruled out due to a finger injury, acknowledged the challenge of performing on a seam-friendly wicket but expressed confidence in the pace attack’s ability to make an impact.
“In Mirpur (SBNS), we have always encountered turning wickets. So our challenge will be how we adapt to a grassy wicket and how we bowl,” Litton told reporters on Monday. “It’s normal for us to play on a different kind of wicket against a team like Afghanistan. They claim to have quality pacers, but we also possess a quality pace attack. Let’s see how it unfolds.”
He further explained that the decision to play on a green-top wicket is specific to this series, and the choice may depend on the prevailing overcast conditions. “The current overcast conditions will influence our decision-making. When there is a green wicket and this kind of weather, it gives an indication of the approach we might take. Considering the expected seam-friendly conditions, we will aim to attack from the first hour,” Litton stated.
While acknowledging their limited familiarity with some Afghan cricketers, particularly in the longer format, Litton believes that Bangladesh has the experience and skill to perform well against the touring side.
“Admittedly, we are not very well acquainted with their players since they primarily feature in ODIs and T20Is. It’s challenging to assess their Test cricket based solely on those formats. If we execute our plans effectively, we can achieve a positive outcome,” he expressed.
Discussing the gap in Test matches for Bangladesh and the advantage of greater maturity due to playing more Tests, Litton noted that on-field performance remains crucial. “We haven’t played Tests recently, and there is a gap. We played in April and then transitioned to white-ball formats. While we do have an edge in terms of experience since our players have participated in more Tests, if we fail to deliver on the field, this advantage can have a negative impact.”
Regarding his debut as Test captain, Litton remained grounded, awaiting the moment when he goes out for the coin toss. “I haven’t dwelled on it yet. Let’s see how it feels when I step onto the field for the toss,” he commented. “It’s not that I was uninterested in leading the side. As vice-captain, there were times when Shakib bhai had to leave the field, and I had to take charge, even if it was just for a couple of overs. So, I didn’t perceive captaincy as a pressure-filled responsibility.”
