‘I’m working on perfecting my shots’ – Liton Das

Das has played just 12 one-day internationals and 15 Twenty20 Internationals – apart from 10 Tests – but his returns have been moderate at best: An average of 15.00 in ODIs and 18.80 in T20Is.

But the 23-year-old’s last innings, a smashing match-winning 32-ball 61 against the Windies in the deciding match of the T20I series away in Lauderhill, has put him in the frame as Tamim Iqbal’s possible opening partner in the United Arab Emirates despite not having played an ODI since October 2017.

“This is a good opportunity. I have been out of the ODI team for a long time and If I get a chance then I will try to do well,” Das said on the sidelines of the Bangladesh team’s preparatory camp in Dhaka on Wednesday, 5 September.

“Being a regular in the team is different, but nothing can be better than performing well. We have two matches in the Asia Cup ahead of us [in the group stage] and they are very important.”

With Iqbal having changed his approach in limited-overs cricket to a more measured one, trying to bat long instead of going for too many shots early on, the onus is very much on his partner – whoever it is – to provide the innings early impetus.

“Along with staying at the crease for as long as possible, you have to score runs as well. And if you want to score runs, you'll have to play some shots. Different batsmen play differently – I like to play aggressively and I will continue this way,” promised Das.

“Only one ball is enough to get out and I'm working on perfecting my shots. The best cricketers play big innings if they can start well. I haven't become a big cricketer yet, maybe that's the reason I am not being able to play big innings. I am trying to do something good, so that I can make more runs.”

Bangladesh start their Asia Cup campaign with a game against Sri Lanka in Dubai on 15 September, the opening day, followed by a clash against Afghanistan, in Abu Dhabi, on 20 September.