Litton Das Sees Netherlands Series as Key Preparation Ahead of Asia Cup

Despite some questions surrounding the necessity of the home series against the Netherlands, Bangladesh captain Litton Das remains optimistic, calling it a “valuable opportunity” rather than a “risk.”

Speaking at a press conference in Sylhet on Thursday, Litton emphasized the importance of the series, saying:

“In international cricket, there is no such thing as a small team. We always play to win, and in every match ahead, our goal will be the same — to secure victory.”

Originally, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had planned the series against India, but after India declined, the Netherlands were chosen as the opponents. While many believe Bangladesh carries more pressure, Litton downplayed the potential risks, insisting that his side is focused on performance rather than consequences.

“Bangladesh has lost to many teams before, so losing a match is nothing new,” Litton said. “In any game, one team will win and the other will lose. What matters most is how well we play cricket, not just the result.”

The upcoming series holds special significance as it marks the first-ever bilateral T20I series between Bangladesh and the Netherlands. In their last notable meeting, during the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, the Netherlands stunned Bangladesh with a commanding 87-run victory in Dharamsala. However, the European side is yet to register a win against Bangladesh in the T20 format.

The Dutch team is no stranger to the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. In the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup, they recorded a historic win at the venue, defeating Ireland with 39 balls to spare — the then-fastest T20 victory. However, none of the players from that squad are part of the current lineup.

Looking ahead, Litton stressed that Bangladesh will use the series as an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and assess player combinations ahead of the Asia Cup:

“If we get the chance, we’ll test a few players, but at the end of the day, this is international cricket — winning remains the top priority.”

The T20I series in Sylhet is set to serve as a crucial preparation platform for Bangladesh as they gear up for the continental tournament.