Litton Das labels stunning 138 as ‘not my best’, indirectly mocks Pakistan bowlers

The 29-year-old Bangladesh National Cricket Team batsman Litton Das played an amazing knock for his team in the second Test of the two-match series against the Pakistan National Cricket Team at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 1.

Bangladesh batters were made look clueless by the sensational bowling of Khurram Shahzad and they were completely down and out at 26/6 with the veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan also back in the dugout.

Then, the onus was on the duo of Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to do something magical and rescue the team from an all-time low Test score. They started playing cautiously against the bowlers and slowly started building the innings.

Das and Miraz, after spending some time in the middle, got set and were fully focused on bailing the team out of trouble. They batted magnificently well and even managed to put the pressure back on the Pakistan bowlers.

The hosts' skipper Shan Masood tried all his bowlers but wasn't able to stop the duo, and Litton Das, along with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, built a historic partnership.

As they breached the 150 partnership runs, they became the first pair in the history of Test cricket to score 150 runs for the seventh or lower wicket from a team total of under 50 runs. Overall, they stitched up a great partnership of 165 runs off 245 balls to bring Bangladesh back into the game.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was dismissed after scoring 78 runs off 124 balls, with 12 fours and 1 six, but Litton Das stayed in the middle for longer and smashed a sensational 138 runs off 228 balls, with 13 fours and 4 sixes.

Not really - Litton Das on whether his 138 runs knock against Pakistan was best-ever

After the play on Day 3, Litton Das was asked at the press conference whether his 138-run knock against Pakistan was his best Test innings. He clearly denied it, saying that he played a better innings of 141 against Sri Lanka, which is his best knock. Some felt he took an indirect dig at the Pakistan bowlers with his comments, suggesting that they are less threatening.

"Not really. I scored 141 vs Sri Lanka, it was the same situation. This is a good total. I am lucky to get the opportunity and I am happy," Litton said.

Litton Das was further questioned about their plan to rescue Bangladesh, and he said that they just wanted to break the momentum of the Pakistan bowlers. He also lauded Mehidy Hasan Miraz for playing exceptionally well.

"We did not plan for very long. When I started with Shakib, he got out early. When Miraz came in, the only thing that we discussed was how to break their momentum. Credit goes to Miraz. I was injured after I got hit by the ball. Miraz put Pakistan on the backfoot with his shot-making," Litton added.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 262 in their first innings and at stumps on Day 3, Pakistan had a score of 9 runs for 2 wickets, with a lead of 21 runs.