Litton cites player availability as key in series win vs Pakistan as all the frontline players were available.
Litton: Availability of first-choice players was key in T20I series wins.
Bangladesh ended their six-match losing record and won their first T20I series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka thanks to having all of their first-choice players available, according to captain Litton Das.
Following an away series victory in Sri Lanka by the same margin, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan 2-1 at home.
“We were facing a [players] crisis in the UAE and Pakistan [in May],” Litton said after winning the recent series against Pakistan. “I didn’t get my best players during those two series. Taskin [Ahmed] wasn’t available. Mustafizur [Rahman] had left for the IPL. We are well aware of Mustafiz’s capability and how dangerous he can be for the opposition. We also had some players unavailable in Pakistan. Those who were there didn’t play up to the mark. I think we had the full set-up against Sri Lanka and Pakistan [this time]. We have to continue playing in such a manner.”
Against Pakistan, Mustafizur was at his most frugal, giving up just 2.86 in two games. While spinners Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain were instrumental in the victories in Sri Lanka, Taskin claimed a total of six wickets. Due to an ankle ailment, Taskin missed the series against the UAE and Pakistan, while Mustafizur missed two games in the UAE.
Quick left arm A May injury prevented Shoriful Islam from playing in the series against Pakistan, and visa problems prevented Bangladesh from fielding Rishad and Nahid Rana in a match against the United Arab Emirates. Rana also missed the Pakistan tour for personal reasons.
Litton credited his bowlers for the victories against Pakistan, who were bowled out for low totals in the first two games of the series. “The bowlers definitely had a huge role in this series win,” he said. “They bowled out Pakistan for 110 runs [in the first T20I]. Then we defended 133 runs [in the second T20I]. Those were big challenges. We bowled well even today.”