Litton relishes new-found freedom as Bangladesh build towards 2028

Bangladesh captains don't usually enjoy a lot of freedom. Litton Das is very straightforward when it comes to expressing his feelings. He did not shy away from criticising the national selectors after they omitted Shamim Patowary without discussing with him.

Litton, who is entrusted with leading the T20I squad, looks to be much more relaxed as far as taking decisions is concerned, as he is now enjoying some kind of authority.

Having won five series on a trot against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Netherlands, Afghanistan and Ireland respectively has enabled him to enjoy this authority. Litton has led Bangladesh in 29 T20I matches, third highest after Mahmudullah (43) and Shakib al Hasan (39), earning 15 wins and suffering 12 losses – with a win percentage of 51.72.

"First of all, I have a lot of freedom (as a captain) and I am organising the team in my own way," said Litton. "The selectors are also there alongside the head coach, and with all of our inputs we are trying to take the team forward.

"To be honest, we didn't have that much discussion (about leading the side in the next World Cup) as they thought I was a deserving candidate to be the captain. I will try my best and the preparation that was there prior to the 2026 World Cup, we will continue and maintain that."

Litton added that the focus is on the next T20 World Cup in 2028, and planning has started keeping in mind the broader picture. Bangladesh picked up a relatively new bowling attack for the New Zealand series and decided to rest players like Mustafizur Rahman.

"Overall, I think all our bowlers are good. Mustafizur is Mustafizur. It is difficult to fill his absence, but you have to remember, if Mustafizur can't play due to injury, someone else has to step up," said Litton.

"With that in mind, we are trying to prepare the team. If the players get enough game time, they will be able to develop themselves to a certain level, maybe not reach Mustafizur's level just yet. The main goal that we have, the 2028 T20 World Cup, we know that it will not be held in Asia, we will think along those lines. And definitely, the bonding that we had prior to the last World Cup, the preparation, was good. We will try to maintain that and continue it.

"It is easy to rotate the bowlers and make them play in the XI, and you know the two (Taskin and Mustafizur) that are not here are assets of Bangladesh cricket. I don't want them to play relentlessly and get injured.

"We are playing the T20 format after a while. Initially we are not willing to give the players added pressure. If they play one or two matches they will understand from their place, there is also the matter of team setup. There will be nine T20s for us, all three series against good teams, back to back. So this is a positive thing for us. Once we play one series, the next one will be easier for us," he said, adding that the cricketers have moved on from the heartbreak of missing the T20 World Cup.

"The players have moved on because during the time of the World Cup we played a tournament where the players tried to play good cricket," said Litton. "The main thing is, in international cricket, each and every single game is important for the players. The players will think accordingly and do what is required to represent Bangladesh with a winning mindset."

Regarding his own form, Litton said that he is much more confident behind the stumps as he is keeping regularly, and though he did not get big scores in the recent past, he still feels he stayed long enough at the wicket to feel all is fine with him as a batter.

"I can't say if I am at my peak (as a wicketkeeper) but since I'm keeping in all three formats, I have developed a good idea. Earlier when I used to be a fielder in ODIs and T20s, and stood behind the wicket in Tests. But now I know what my role is, I try to give my hundred percent," said Litton.

"In the last two series, even though I couldn't get big runs, I was still able to stay at the wicket for a while. That is a good thing. Since the format is different, if you stay at the wicket, runs will come. It's a different format, will try to maintain that consistency. At the same time you have to have an attacking mindset, and when you do, once or twice you may fail, so you have to accept it in T20s that you will sometimes succeed, sometimes fail."

Litton will start his campaign after getting the mandate from the board to lead the side till the next T20 World Cup with the upcoming three-match T20 series, scheduled at Chattogram from April 27.