Tamim backed me to break his record: Liton Das
Bangladesh opener Liton Das revealed that his compatriot Tamim Iqbal backed him to go all out against Zimbabwe in the third ODI. The duo was involved in a 292-run partnership for the first wicket as Bangladesh piled up a mammoth 322 in the first innings. Bangladesh won by 123 runs (DLS method) with the game reduced to 43 overs due to rain.
Liton racked up the highest individual score for Bangladesh in ODIs after he smashed 176 runs off just 143 deliveries. His blistering knock was studded with 16 fours and 8 sixes. Tamim Iqbal formerly held this record, who scored 158 in the second ODI during the same series. However, he remained unbeaten on 128 in the third ODI. Bangladesh swept the ODI series 3-0.
Liton, who also scored a ton in the series opener, was named the Player of the Series. He tallied 311 runs in three innings at an average of 155. The 25-year-old asserted that the thought of scoring a double hundred never crossed his mind. "I played fast, so there was a chance of double hundred, but I never thought about it,'' Liton said.
"When I was batting on 80, Zimbabwe were bowling well and Tamim told me not to lose my head as this will pass away. After I crossed 120, he told me do something that will remain [in the record books] for long." Liton said.
Veteran bowler Mashrafee Mortaza played his last ODI as captain. He previously announced that he will step down from captaincy after the final ODI against Zimbabwe. Besides, he heaped praise on Liton, terming him the 'best in the country'. "I always like watching two batsmen, one is Virat Kohli and other one is Liton," Mortaza reiterated after Bangladesh's victory.
"If I play 30 overs, I can score big score against any opponent. Today I played the best innings of my life till date. I changed my batting style after the domestic season. if I progress like this I can make good scores," Liton stated.
