BAN vs IRE: Litton Das smashes fastest half-century for Bangladesh in commanding victory

Litton Das. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Bangladesh hammered Ireland in the second T20I to register their second consecutive victory, claiming the three-match series in the process. The home side’s comprehensive 77-run victory came on the back of another clinical batting performance by the Bangladeshi top-order. Star opener Litton Das went into the record books after smashing an 18-ball half-century, the fastest in Bangladesh’s history.

It was carnage for the Bangladeshi batters in a rain-curtailed second T20I at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The home side got off to a flying start after wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das was dropped in the fourth over of the match. The opener took full advantage of the reprieve and went on to smash the fastest half-century for Bangladesh in the shortest format of the game.

Litton, who compiled 83 runs in just 41 deliveries, broke former Bangladeshi skipper Mohammad Ashraful’s record of the fastest half-century, which stood for 16 years. Ashraful had breached the 50-run mark in just 20 deliveries against the West Indies in the 2007 T20 World Cup to set the enviable record.

Litton’s form is good news for KKR

Buoyed by the opener’s blistering knock at the top, Bangladesh finished with a daunting total of 202 runs in their 17 overs. Ireland never got going in the chase and surrendered cheaply after Bangladeshi skipper Shakib Al Hasan grabbed a magnificent five-for to become the leading wicket-taker in T20Is. 

While Litton’s form helped Bangladesh to another comfortable series victory against Ireland, two-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping that the Bangladeshi batter can replicate the same in the upcoming edition of the tournament. The 28-year-old was roped in by KKR in the IPL 2023 auction and could play an important role in the top order after skipper Shreyas Iyer’s injury.

“The IPL is a huge platform, and you get to play high-intensity games. Sharing the dressing room with some of the big names in world cricket will help me immensely, because the more you get to know them, the better it is for you to pick their brains and learn a thing or two,” Litton had said after the auction.