Litton’s T20I form declined so much that he lost his place in the side after scoring 1, 23 and 12 in the first three T20Is of the five-match series against Zimbabwe. His final innings ended when he failed in three successive attempts to scoop Blessing Muzarabani and dragged the ball to the stumps in the final over of the innings.
“Litton is a very important player for our team,” Shanto said in a media interview on Wednesday. “He hasn’t had a good time recently. That can happen to any cricketer. But we didn’t want to bring in a new player for such a big event. We valued Litton’s experience. I wouldn’t have dropped him. no see.
“We were already discussing the World Cup team combination for the Sri Lanka series. We wanted to prepare with a home game, but the success of that game was subjective. We made it clear that we would not change anyone just because he was bad. This home game. In the game.
“We didn’t take good wickets in the T20I series (Chattogram and Dhaka matches against Zimbabwe). In some games too, we had to go back and forth between the ground because of the rain. But Litton and I need to score runs. In every game, our team has clarity. “Because we have this, I hope we can achieve good results in the World Cup as well.”
Haturusinghe admitted that the top and middle order did not combine as well as expected against Zimbabwe, but felt there were instances where they came out firing to win the game. They ended up winning the series 4-1.
“We started well in some games and finished strong in some games when we didn’t start well,” Haturusinghe said. “So everyone got a chance to bat in the middle and that was positive. Yes, individually, some players would have liked to have spent (more) time in the middle and scored runs. But anything can happen in T20 cricket. It’s a very different game from the other two formats.
“We like our top order to score goals all the time. In that scenario, it puts a lot of pressure on the other players. I am sure, with five games left until the first game, we can sort out the concerns.”
Bangladesh will play a warm-up match after playing a three-T20I series against T20 World Cup co-hosts USA at Prairie View later this month.
‘I want to give good memories to Mahmudullah and Shakib.’
“He is playing regularly. He has made a strong comeback. He is playing his best cricket recently,” Hathurusinghe said. “He has changed his approach to batting a lot. His role will be in the middle order. He will probably be an enforcer in the middle and a finisher. Of late, he has done surprisingly well in all formats domestically. He has done well. .”
“The team is benefiting from (Mahmudullah’s) role in the batting line-up at number five or six,” he said. “This gives the team an added advantage. He is an inspiration to the young people. He has shown how you can come back from such difficult situations.
“We want to give them (Mahmudullah and Shakib) good memories from the World Cup. It is our responsibility as young players. I believe that if they can carry out their normal roles but at the same time spread the experience, it will also help the rest of the team. Will be.”
‘Taskin is a leader in fast bowling.’
“Taskin is a leader in fast bowling,” Hathurusinghe said. “The rules of the tournament allow us to carry someone (a reserve) and then make a decision: we are giving him the best chance to be fit to play.
“Taskin is a very important member for us. He is a leader, so he is also our vice-captain. We have the best medical and recovery procedures in the country, so we will utilize those resources to give him the best opportunity to be fit for the first match. do.”
Despite the question marks over Taskin, Shanto believes the bowling attack can win the T20 World Cup.
“We have a much improved fast bowling department,” he said. “If our bowling unit does well, we have a better chance of winning a T20 match. We are also likely to play in conditions conducive to spin, so considering our variations, they will do well too. Bowling is our strength.”
In the 2022 T20 World Cup, then captain Shakib and the coaching staff led by S Sriram oversaw a new and courageous approach from the players to give Bangladesh two wins. But despite their struggles in global tournaments overall, Haturusinghe is quietly optimistic.
“I understand that we have high aspirations as a country. We have generally played good cricket at ICC events,” Hathurusinghe said. “As players and coaches, we also have high expectations. The first step is to get through the difficult group stage. We are in a very strong group, so getting out of that is the main goal.”
Bangladesh are in Group D with Nepal, Netherlands, South Africa and Sri Lanka and will begin the World Cup with a match against Sri Lanka on June 8 at the Grande Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
