‘Seeking hitters at 5, 6 and 7’
Primarily an opening batsman, Liton Das had batted at number five during the Bangladesh's World Cup campaign in England last year, when the stylish right-hander had scored a magnificent, unbeaten 94 against West Indies.
Although Liton had scored a big knock in the middle order, the cricketer would want to bat at his actual top-order position because of his expertise in negotiating the new ball.
The 25-year-old struck his second hundred in the fifty-over format against Zimbabwe on Sunday in Sylhet. That and his brilliant century against India in the final of the Asia Cup in Dubai in 2018 showed his comfort while opening the innings.
"He [Liton] is the better person to talk about it. I think he has just matured. He has taken on the responsibility and scored his second ODI hundred, which is pleasing. He looks like he knows where he wants to take his batting, and looks very hungry," said Bangladesh's batting consultant Neil McKenzie about Liton's transformation as a batsman.
There have been many instances in the past where players have been confused after being given roles that were different form their preferred or familiar ones, which eventually had a negative impact on their games.
But much like the current buzz around creating a good cricket culture in Bangladesh cricket, with head coach Russell Domingo and the selectors already having prepared a separate fast bowling unit for Test and limited-overs formats, the Bangladesh batting department under McKenzie is also looking to provide opportunities for players suited to their roles.
According to the South African, the Bangladesh think tank is looking to create opportunities for specific batting orders, which could help in having a balanced line-up in the coming days.
"I think we have a few ideas to get forward and [are] trying to give a few guys chances. There are obviously different batting line-ups we could install. The biggest thing in Bangladesh cricket is that there are a lot of number one, two and three batters, especially in the T20s. It's just to find the number five, six and seven who could clear the fence and who want to play that role. Not everybody can bat at one, two and three. It's actually someone who wants to bat at five, six or seven in the T20s," he said.
However, despite batting in his specialist opening position the experienced Tamim Iqbal is struggling to find his rhythm as the left-hander seemed to be in two minds about the approach he should take during his 43-ball 24 against a weak Zimbabwean bowling attack in the first ODI.
McKenzie however backed Tamim and even urged the media to show some patience towards the experienced cricketer.
"In Bangladesh, there's a lot of media. A lot of pressure on the players to perform. Everybody is under scrutiny the whole time. Sometimes it is about giving guys a little bit of benefit of doubt. I just look at a guy who practises like he does, it is a matter of time. I think a lot of the young guys are feeding off him. You can't always get hundreds but when it is going well or bad for you, it is important for you to keep the same personality. Keep your emotions at the same level. Cricketers are very high when things are going well, and when things are down, we are very down."
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