Litton Das backs Mustafizur Rahman after Bangladesh's Asian Games gold hopes end

Bangladesh captain stands by pacer after rain-hit semifinal loss

Bangladesh skipper Litton Das backed Mustafizur Rahman despite the pacer's expensive spell against Pakistan that contributed to their defeat and ended their gold medal hopes at the Asian Games in Japan on Thursday, 1 October.

Bangladesh's hopes of winning gold at the Asian Games came to an end after a six-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the men's cricket semifinal at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, with Mustafizur Rahman's two-over spell proving costly in a rain-shortened contest.

Bangladesh posted 111 for 7 in their allotted 13 overs, but Pakistan chased down the target with nine balls to spare, reaching 112 for 4 in 12.4 overs to book their place in the final. Mustafizur conceded 41 runs in his two overs despite taking the wicket of Saim Ayub.

Captain defends selection

"I think if we had bowled a little better in the middle overs and conceded fewer sixes, we would have had a better chance," Litton told reporters after the game.

"There were several options apart from Mustafizur. If Mustafizur had taken three wickets today, you would not have asked me this question. He has been doing it for us for so long. I felt Mustafizur was the best option, so I went with him. If you feel at any point that another option is better, then you can go with that," he said.

Preparation hampered by rain

Litton said preparation was not ideal as the team was confined to their hotel rooms due to rain and could not practise as planned. Bangladesh played their first game in the event when they faced Pakistan in the semifinal, as their scheduled quarterfinal against Malaysia was washed out due to rain.

"No, it was never ideal. We had been sitting in our rooms for several days and then lost the toss, so there was not much we could do. The wicket was also difficult to read. It would have been better if we had played well, but it is never easy to sit around for so long and then come out and play an extraordinary innings. Credit goes to Hridoy for bringing us back from that position. The partnership between Mosaddek and Hridoy was also very good," said Litton.

"It is natural that when you have been indoors for so long and then finally get to play on a wicket, you need some time to understand the conditions. We had no such reference point because we had not played a game in the last few days and did not get the opportunity to practise on the wicket either," he said.

"So, we started the first few overs without really knowing what to expect. Gradually, the batters got a better understanding of the conditions," he added.

Disappointment after missing final

Litton said losing the chance to win gold was disappointing.

"Obviously, when we left the country, we said we wanted to play in the final. We could not make it there," he said.

"We obviously wanted to win gold and that was what we were trying to achieve. We will keep trying. Another Bangladesh team will come in the future and they will try as well. But when certain things are lacking, a lot of factors go beyond your control. We obviously gave it our best, and those who come after us will continue trying to achieve it," he said.