Liton brings up third ton in six months

Bangladesh batter Liton Das has backed up his 88 off 189 balls in Chattogram in the previous Test against Sri Lanka with a century under immense pressure on day one of the series-deciding Dhaka Test today. The stylish right-hander thus extends his impressive spell of batting form in the longest format for Bangladesh.

Liton came to the middle when the Tigers were thoroughly cornered, with the scoreboard reading 24 for five in only the seventh over. Ever since, the batter has looked his typical elegant self, aside a few hiccups, most notably a dropped catch while he was on 48. And with an able partner in Mushfiqur Rahim, approaching a consecutive century, the two keepers of the Tigers have well guarded the castle for Bangladesh and have already compiled a consecutive 150-plus runs for the sixth-wicket stand.  

Mushfiqur Rahim in action. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Mushfiqur combining with Liton is nothing new for the Tigers as the two shares the highest average (70) when it comes to partnerships cumulated over a minumum of one thousand runs, 15 ahead of the numbers shared by Mominul Haque and, again, Mushfiqur Rahim. 

Bangladesh, on 208 for five after 63 overs in their first innings, would still want the pair to continue as long as possible since the surface seems a batting paradise, even though the likes of Mominul Haque and Najmul Shanto may beg to differ.

With a pull shot to Asitha Fernando that resulted in five runs due to an overthrow, Liton brought up the third century of his Test career, spanning 33 matches, and the first against the Lankans. Liton, so far, has scored three centuries and two 80-plus knocks since the home series featuring two Tests against Pakistan began in late November last year, following which Bangladesh have played six Tests and are currently engaged in their seventh in Dhaka against Sri Lanka.

The wicket-keeper-batter also played a blistering 126-ball 136 against Afghanistan in the ODI series at home earlier this year.