Shahzad Labels Litton Das ‘Extremely Lucky’ After Second Test Century
A Day of Mixed Fortunes for Pakistan
The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh has set the stage for an intriguing contest after a fluctuating opening day. While Pakistan initially tore through the Bangladeshi top order, the hosts managed to fight back, eventually posting 278, largely thanks to a defiant century from Litton Das. Khurram Shahzad, the standout performer for the visitors with four wickets, believes Pakistan remains in a strong position, though he couldn’t help but dwell on a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum.
The Pitch Conditions
Shahzad was quick to compare the conditions in Sylhet to the previous match in Dhaka. According to the fast bowler, the pitch at this venue is significantly more conducive to stroke play. “We bowled them out under 300, and this pitch is different to Dhaka,” Shahzad noted following the day’s play. “I think it’ll still be quite good for batting. There were cracks and uneven bounce there [in Dhaka]. Here, there is not so much and we’ll try to score 400-450.” This sets a clear target for the Pakistani batters as they look to capitalize on a surface that shows signs of holding up well for the duration of the match.
The Litton Das Factor
Pakistan’s hopes of a complete collapse were thwarted by Litton Das’s resilience. The Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter is becoming something of a nemesis for the Pakistani pace attack, echoing his heroics from the Rawalpindi Test. At one stage, Bangladesh appeared to be in deep trouble, reeling at 116 for 6. However, Litton’s ability to shield the lower order once again proved to be the difference-maker.
The defining moment of the day arguably arrived when Litton was on 52. A sharp bouncer from Shahzad appeared to find the glove before being caught by Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan appealed, but in a moment of hesitation, they opted not to use their final DRS review. Technology later confirmed that the ball had indeed brushed the glove, granting Litton a massive lifeline. He would go on to score 74 more runs, a contribution that kept Bangladesh competitive.
Shahzad’s Take on the Missed Opportunity
Reflecting on the dismissal that wasn’t, Shahzad was candid about the impact of the missed review. “We were unlucky to miss that review,” he admitted. “If we’d got him out then, the results would have been totally different. But it’s part of the game and partnerships can happen. Sometimes it happens that you let momentum go and don’t get the lower order out. If Litton had got out at that stage, I think we’d have bowled them out for 200.” When asked about Litton’s overall fortune, Shahzad did not mince words, labeling the centurion “extremely lucky” to have survived that specific delivery.
Defending the Tactical Approach
Addressing criticisms that Pakistan became too passive as the day wore on and the wicket-taking rhythm slowed, Shahzad defended the team’s tactical execution. He pointed out that attacking tactics often carry the inherent risk of leaking runs. “We bowled him a few bouncers. Two chances were created off my bowling, including that catch we didn’t review and that chance that was dropped at square leg. We did attack, but when you attack, you concede runs as well. As for the field setting, that’s according to the situation.”
Ultimately, while Bangladesh will be pleased with their recovery to 278, Pakistan will feel that they left the door ajar. The upcoming second day will be crucial, as the Pakistani batting lineup attempts to translate Shahzad’s optimism into a substantial first-innings lead. Whether the surface remains as batter-friendly as expected remains the key question for both sides.
