ZCZC
BSP-23
CRICKET-LITON-MATURITY
Level of maturity makes Liton consistent
DHAKA, Jan 11, 2020 (BSS) – Opener Liton Das insisted that his level of maturity with the age made him consistent in the competitive cricket, which he lacked in the major part of his brief career with the national team.
Touted as one of the most talented batsmen of Bangladesh, Liton’s journey in the International cricket was a synonymous of frustration for Tiger fans.
On most of the occasion, his eye-catching cricket was a sight to behold but he simply couldn’t convert to his start to a big one for most of the time, much to the disappointment of the fans.
But his form in this ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) came as soothing pleasure for the fans as he made runs consistently, along with playing some breathtaking shots to keep the spectators captivated.
Till now he scored 422 runs in 12 matches, his highest for any BPL tournament, with three half-centuries, that all came as winning-cause for his side Rajshahi Royals. And those runs came at a healthy strike rate of 139.73.
Liton credited his maturity for the consistency, which is always expected from a talented batsman like him.
“The main reason to do well is the level of maturity that I have now,” Liton said here today after his 48 ball-75 ensured Rajshahi Royals first Qualifier in BBPL.
“If you look into my performance in the last three or four BPL tournaments, you will see that I just played my shots without thinking of playing a big knock. My confidence to play all kind of shots didn’t go augurs well for me in the past.
“In this BPL, I curtailed the habit of playing shots in every deliveries. If you watch, you will in last two BPLs, every time I played 15 balls, I scored 30 runs but I got out.
‘In this year, you will see, when I played 15 balls, I made 17 runs but I am playing big knock every now and then,” he explained, adding that the marriage in early age helped him to be responsible and matured also.
Liton said despite curbing his attacking style, he still is able to keep his strike rate around 140, largely because of the bowlers’ mindset.
“As I said, the bowlers broke down mentally after conceding a boundary and they kept delivering loose balls. So I can capitalize on it,” he revealed.
The opener however disclosed that he brought up some changes to his head and feet movement as part of honing his batting skill.
“I have worked hard after so many times I got out while getting set in the crease. I was not able to prolong my innings indeed. That’s why I worked on my feet and head movement to give me some space and freedom while batting.”
Liton said he is happy to fulfill his initial target which was to score 400 plus runs in this tournament.
“This year my target was to score 400 runs with a strike rate of 130/135. I am happy that I was able to achieve that target in group phase. Now I have two important games in which I want to contribute consistently,” he added.
“I knew if I want to scorer 400 plus runs, I have to score at least two 50-plus knock and score regularly in other matches. I am happy that I have already hit three half-centuries including two in a row. When I got 39 in first match and 44 in second match, I was upbeat that I could achieve the target.”
BSS/SMP/SMM/1850 hrs