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Dhaka, July 19, 2025 – Bangladesh T20I captain Liton Das addressed the media ahead of the upcoming series against Pakistan, emphasizing the mutual familiarity between the two teams due to their participation in franchise leagues like the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). The series, marking Pakistan’s return to Bangladesh after four years, begins tomorrow at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
In the press conference, Liton highlighted how franchise cricket has bridged the gap between players from both sides. “It’s a great thing,” he said, explaining that playing alongside international cricketers in leagues like the BPL allows for better understanding and camaraderie. “Franchise cricket gives you the chance to play with and befriend players from around the world. If you’re only limited to national team cricket, you don’t get to know others or share a dressing room.”
Pakistan’s 16-member squad includes nine players with BPL experience, while several Bangladeshi players have also participated in the PSL. Pakistan captain Salman Agha earlier stated that their team’s strategy has been shaped by insights from players familiar with Mirpur’s conditions. Responding to this, Liton noted, “It works both ways. Just as they know our strengths and weaknesses from playing together, we also know theirs. I don’t think it’s a big issue. It’s actually a positive aspect.”
The Shere Bangla pitch was a recurring topic during the press conference. Liton recalled the 2021 T20I series against Australia and New Zealand, where spin-friendly wickets proved challenging for batsmen. Bangladesh won the series against Australia 4-1 and also defeated New Zealand, but Liton admitted those conditions impacted several batsmen’s careers. “I agree that some batsmen’s careers took a hit after those series,” he said with a smile, adding, “If I were a bowler, maybe my career would’ve been boosted on those wickets.”
However, Liton clarified that he was referring specifically to those two series, not Mirpur’s wickets in general. Statistically, Liton is Bangladesh’s third-highest T20I run-scorer at Mirpur, with 510 runs in 18 matches at a strike rate above 130. Mahmudullah leads with 804 runs in 39 matches at a strike rate of 119.11, while Shakib Al Hasan has 547 runs in 34 matches at a strike rate of around 101.
Addressing whether Mirpur’s wickets are always tough for batsmen, Liton said, “It’s not always a problem. Those two specific series were challenging because the ball spun a lot. But runs are scored here, and pacers also get assistance. It’s a sporting wicket.” When asked if he makes extra efforts to adapt to Mirpur’s conditions, Liton responded, “I’ve been playing here for 10 years. How much more can I adjust? My challenge is consistency, which I’m always working on. My effort in practice has never been lacking and won’t be in the future.”
