Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted Bangladesh’s failure to convert their chances cost them victory in the Abu Dhabi Test, but the captain was quick to praise Litton Das, saying the wicketkeeper showed plenty of character after Afghanistan drew on Tuesday.
“It is disappointing but they played brilliantly. We couldn’t take opportunities,” Shanto said after the draw.
He had expected more from his spinners: “I expected the spinners to come into the match; they tried but Afghanistan played very good cricket.”
Asked about Litton, Shanto was glowing: “Really outstanding, the way Litton played. Not just this match, the last few years, he has been great behind the stumps. To keep 140 overs in this heat, he showed plenty of character.”
He hoped the form would continue: “I hope he can continue his batting and keeping.”
Litton scored 53 and 102 and took nine dismissals in the Test, a world first, and was named Player of the Match.
Litton himself said conditions were tough for the bowlers: “The pitch was very flat. It was difficult for the bowlers to perform well in this heat. I gained confidence after just one net session before the second innings.”
On Hasan Mahmud and the pace unit, Shanto said: “Whenever I give him the ball, he does the job for the team, along with Ebadot, Taskin, Rana. I hope they will continue that way that they have in the last few years.”
“The boys are really prepared to play the next series,” Shanto said, with Bangladesh now turning to a tri-nation ODI series that also features Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan finished on 346/8 from 142 overs, chasing 479, with Bangladesh taking only five wickets on the final day.
It is disappointing but they played brilliantly. We couldn’t take opportunities. I expected the spinners to come into the match; they tried but Afghanistan played very good cricket.Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh captain
The chances came late. Two simple run-out opportunities were missed in the 122nd over, and Afghanistan went on to face another 20 overs.
Hasan Mahmud then dropped a straightforward catch from Qais Ahmad at deep midwicket, with Bangladesh needing three wickets.
Earlier, Litton had let slip a stumping chance when Sediqullah Atal, on 70, stepped down the track to Taijul Islam and the ball bounced and turned in.
Atal went on to make 111 off 332 balls before Taijul finally removed him with an hour left.
Yamin Ahmadzai scored 19 off 85 balls after surviving twice, and Qais Ahmad, who also had two reprieves, finished unbeaten on 49 from 80.
Zia-ur-Rehman then survived 12 balls without scoring as the closing overs ticked away.