“Here comes a star” — some seven-odd years ago, that was the line used to introduce Litton Das, when he made his international debut against India in the Fatullah Test.

Those words were written on Facebook by Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP) cricket adviser Nazmul Abedeen Fahim. But has Litton really been a star in Bangladesh’s cricket horizon? Has he lived up to the expectations?

Litton’s innings (27-ball 60) against India in Adelaide on Wednesday underlined his ability to feature among the best in business. Bangladesh lost the game, but the Indian bowling attack was very much at sea when Litton carted those fours and sixes. Though in a losing cause, it was one of his best knocks.

The average of 22.22 in T20Is doesn’t justify Litton’s ability with the bat, especially after his blazing knock at the top of the order on Wednesday. “He was never short on talent and skill even during his early days. What used to be a concern was the element of consistency.

“In T20s, he used to try those fancy shots quite often, which brought about quick dismissals,” Habibul Bashar, one of the Bangladesh national selectors and also a former captain, told The Telegraph on Thursday.

“His strength is proper cricketing strokes. That’s something we saw yesterday(Wednesday) as well. I think he played just one ramp shot.

“Over the last couple of years, he has tried to cut down on those extravagant strokes and concentrate more on the conventional ones. That has really improved his game,” Bashar explained.

Fahim, though, believes the 28-year-old from Dinajpurdistrict (in the Rangpur division) should have placed himself on a higher pedestal given his talent. “Litton joined BKSParound 2006-07. He had all the ingredients of being a successful batsman.

“But I feel he should've been at a higher level today,” the former BKSP chief coach stated. “Maybe he would have if he had come through a more challenging environment, which could have made him mentally tougher and more determined.

“Considering how he’s batting lately, we hope he irons out the little flaws still there in his game and becomes a complete batter.”

Fake or fair, BCB joins chorus

Calcutta: Bangladesh’s claim that Virat Kohli was guilty of “fake fielding” during Wednesday’s T20 World Cup game grew louder with their cricket Board too joining the chorus.

After Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan had spoken about the incident while speaking with reporters in the mixed zone after the match, BCB cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus also said on Thursday that the incident was brought to the onfield umpires’ notice by the players.

“The fake throw was brought to the umpire’s notice but he said he didn’t see it. That’s why it wasn’t taken to review. Shakib spoke extensively to (Marais) Erasmus (umpire), during and after the match,” Yunus was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.

Kohli’s action did not affect the match in any way, but does that dilute the fault as per the laws of the game?

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