Litton Das Says Bangladesh Were Left Guessing on the Nagoya Pitch in Semi-Final Loss

Bangladesh captain Litton Das has said his side did not know what to expect from the pitch in Nagoya, which contributed to their defeat by Pakistan in the Asian Games semi-final.

The match

The game was cut to 13 overs a side by rain. Bangladesh batted first and made 111/7, and Pakistan replied with 112/4 in 11.3 overs, winning with nine balls left.

Bangladesh lost three wickets for 21 inside four overs. Tanzid Hasan made seven, while Litton and Parvez Hossain Emon scored two and one. The total was helped by 19 extras, 15 of them wides.

Litton’s explanation

Litton said the team had not seen a full match at the venue in recent days and had no chance to practise on the pitch itself, so the batters only worked out the conditions as the innings went on.

He praised Towhid Hridoy, who hit 42 off 25 balls, and his partnership with Mosaddek Hossain, who made 11. Saif Hassan added 19. Litton also felt Bangladesh could have been better in the middle overs, and that fewer sixes conceded would have given them a better chance of defending.

Mustafizur decision

Litton defended his decision to bowl Mustafizur Rahman, who conceded 41 runs in two overs. He called him the best option available and pointed to his long record for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh now play Sri Lanka for bronze at the same venue on Saturday, October 3.