Bangladesh's Greatest Test Knock? Litton Das Epic Scripts Remarkable Turnaround Against Pakistan

Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das played an innings for the ages, striking a superb counter-attacking century against Pakistan in the second Test in Rawalpindi.

Bangladesh did well with the ball on day two to bowl Pakistan out for 274, as Mehidy Hasan Miraz took 5-61. They began batting as well on that day, getting to 10-0.

But on day three, their top-order was blown away as Pakistan's Khurram Shahzad delivered a fiery opening spell, and Mir Hamza chipped in with two wickets to reduce them to 26-6.

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Litton came in at No.7 and joined hands with No.8 Mehidy, and the pair put on 165 runs for the seventh wicket in an exhibition of counter-attacking batting. Litton reached his fifty off 83 balls, and soon after started unleashing himself. He hit Shahzad for two sixes within the next 40 balls he faced.

Mehidy was dismissed for 78, but Litton continued to play on, going past the three figure mark, his fourth in Test matches. He was later given solid company by No.10 Hasan Mahmud.By the time he was the ninth wicket to fall, Litton had scored 138 and Bangladesh trailed by just 12 runs, an unimaginable position from 26-6.

This knock is surely a welcome change for Litton, from his infamous slog mid-collapse against Sri Lanka last year. In fact, it is quite possibly among the best innings in Bangladesh's Test history, given that it came from a position where Bangladesh's lowest Test score was threatened, and ended up taking them to a position from where they have a real shot of securing a whitewash in an away Test series.

But what are the other contenders?

Tamim Iqbal: 103 vs England, Lord's 2010

In 2010, Bangladesh visited Lord's in May for the first Test of two against England. After the hosts scored 419 in their first innings, Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes put on 126 in a one-man show as Kayes only contributed 36.

Tamim made his way to a swashbuckling 108 off 114 balls at the Home of Cricket, before he was dismissed with the score reading 169-3. Bangladesh collapsed after that, with the highest score after the openers being 11. They went on to lose by an innings and 80 runs.

Shakib Al Hasan: 217 vs New Zealand, Wellington 2017

Bangladesh lost both matches on their trip to New Zealand in January 2017, but the first saw an incredible display of batting from two stalwarts. Shakib Al Hasan came in at 145-3, and alongside Mushfiqur Rahim (159), put on a staggering 359 runs for the fifth wicket.

Shakib himself scored 217, the second-highest individual score in Bangladesh's Test history. Bangladesh declared at 595-8 and even took the first innings lead, but went on to lose by seven wickets.

Brilliant knocks from Litton Das (138) and Mehidy Hasan (78) help Bangladesh fight back after a disastrous start in Rawalpindi 💪

They trail Pakistan by 12 runs after the first innings.

Scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/rFnp0PlK9R#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/IJfeWdTjFz — Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 1, 2024

Tamim Iqbal: 126 vs New Zealand, Hamilton 2019

In another one-man effort, Tamim put the Kiwis to the sword in the first innings in Hamilton. Trent Boult and Tim Southee were dealt with with disdain, and the opener scored at nearly a run a ball before becoming the fifth wicket to fall. No one else made more than 29 in the innings as Bangladesh were bowled out for 234. They went on to lose by an innings and 49 runs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto: 105 vs New Zealand, Sylhet 2023

Last November, Bangladesh secured a massive 150-run win over New Zealand. In the third innings, they were precariously placed at 26-2 before captain Najmul Hossain Shanto took charge. He patiently made his way to 105, stretching his side's lead to 207 by the time he was out. Mushfiqur Rahim (67) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (50*) played supporting roles before the bowlers took over.

Mushfiqur Rahim: 191 vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi 2024

The most recent entry on this list is from last month, when Bangladesh secured their first-ever win over Pakistan in Test cricket. After the hosts had declared at 448-6, 'Mushi' batted long and ground his way to 191, putting on 196 for the seventh wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (77). He helped his side to a 117-run lead, before the spinners ran through Pakistan to help secure the win.

Players with at least 1,500 Test runs at an average of 55+ since 2020:

– Kane Williamson 🇳🇿

– Mushfiqur Rahim 🇧🇩

The 37-year-old's stunning 191 set the platform for Bangladesh's famous first Test victory against Pakistan in Rawalpindi 👏#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/41R48lAubl — Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 27, 2024

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