Litton Claims the Throne of Fifties, Surpassing Shakib

In Bangladesh cricket, there are perhaps only three, maybe four or five at most, who belong to a rare breed. Litton Das is one of them.

You might ask, “What sets them apart?” The answer isn’t anything extravagant, but in cricketing terms, it’s called “class.” Batting with rhythm, elegance, and effortless grace, Litton’s natural wrist work creates a seamless bond with the ball.

It is through this artistry of “class” that Litton Das has become a constant star in Bangladesh’s batting galaxy. His shots mesmerize the cricketing world. As Ian Bishop once remarked:
“Litton seems to paint a Mona Lisa on the canvas of cricket with his bat.”

If the cricket field is a canvas, then Litton is Leonardo da Vinci, painting masterpieces with strokes of fours and sixes.

But not every innings from Litton is a Mona Lisa. A lack of consistency has long been the familiar shadow of his career.

Yet, when he finds his rhythm, every run, every stroke of his bat, brings peace to the eyes and mind.

And Sylhet seems to awaken an extra gear in him. In the recently concluded series, Litton rediscovered his old form with two fifties. His tally of 145 runs in three matches earned him the Player of the Series award.

The pinnacle of that form came at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in the final match against the Netherlands. Litton blasted a half-century in just 27 balls, becoming Bangladesh’s record-holder for the most T20I fifties.

His innings included 5 boundaries and 3 sixes—a performance as soothing to watch as it was significant for the record books.

Most Fifties for Bangladesh in T20 Internationals:

• Litton Das: 14 fifties (108 innings)

• Shakib Al Hasan: 13 fifties (127 innings)

• Mahmudullah Riyad: 8 fifties (130 innings)

Despite breaking the record, Litton remained his usual composed self. At the press conference, his response reflected the maturity of a seasoned cricketer:

“Both,” he said, when asked about skill and mental resilience.
“I don’t know how you define a comeback. As a player, you won’t do well in every series. One series may go well, another may not. If you perform in the next one, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a comeback.”

Litton emphasized the team’s progress over his own:

“What’s important is how we improve as a team, how we find ways to win matches in every series. I think we are playing good cricket.”

When asked if he was enjoying the captaincy, Litton was direct and confident:

“It’s better not to pay attention to hearsay. I enjoy it a lot. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have taken the responsibility.”

Reflecting on back-to-back successful series and his personal form, he said:

“It’s been two good series in a row. My performances are also helping the team. When the leader performs, it’s good for the team. In that sense, I’m very happy.”

Looking ahead, Litton’s focus was clear:

“I want to play good cricket in the Asia Cup. There’s nothing beyond that. If you play well, victories will come.”