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Six Losses, Zero Doubt As Litton Das Backed To Shine By Bangladesh Coach Amid SL T20Is

Aakash Saini

Bangladesh coach and Litton Das [Source: @KKR_Xtra, @SightScreenCJ/x]Bangladesh coach and Litton Das [Source: @KKR_Xtra, @SightScreenCJ/x]

Bangladesh lost the first T20I to Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Pallekele on July 10 to go 0-1 down in the three-match series. The outcome also marked Bangladesh’s sixth straight defeat in T20Is, with their unfortunate streak beginning with two humiliating losses to the UAE in Sharjah a couple of months ago.

Litton Das, Bangladesh’s captain in each of those games, has now landed in the crosshairs of scrutiny, with questions swirling around his form and leadership as the T20I defeats continue to pile up. Amidst the mounting pressure, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has now thrown his weight behind Litton, expressing his unwavering belief in the captain’s ability of bouncing back for his national team.

“We Know What He Can…” Simmons Rallies Behind Under-fire Litton

While speaking with the reporters at a press conference in Dambulla ahead of Bangladesh’s all-important second T20I match against Sri Lanka, head coach Phil Simmons backed struggling captain Litton Das, claiming that the cricketer has the ability of bouncing back. He said:

“I think his confidence is a bit low. We know what we can produce. We are working hard to get him to that stage. Hopefully he can get there in the next match, shows his ability.”

Phil Simmons also urged for an improvement in the overall performance from the team, pointing out Bangladesh’s flailing batting order and a struggle with the ball during the powerplay overs. He added:

“The next plan is to do better at the stuff that we weren't good enough in the last game. We have to get more runs and bowl better in the first six. We need to improve with certain things at certain levels to be competitive with them. That's what we are looking to do.”

With series on the line, a Litton Das-led Bangladesh team will now face Sri Lanka in the second T20I match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. While a win will enforce a decider in Colombo on July 16, a defeat will extend Bangladesh’s winless misery to seven games.