Litton laments missed opportunity after bronze slip
Bangladesh captain Litton Das admitted his side missed a golden opportunity after losing the Asian Games bronze-medal match to Sri Lanka by 63 runs in Nisshin.
Bangladesh skipper Litton Das stated that his side missed a vital opportunity to secure a medal at the Asian Games 2026 following a 63-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the bronze-medal playoff at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday.
Following their semifinal setback against Pakistan, Bangladesh pinned their remaining hopes of claiming a second-ever medal in Asian Games history on this fixture against Sri Lanka.
However, the batting unit collapsed dramatically, getting bowled out for just 102 runs in 17.3 overs while attempting to chase down a target of 166.
“Very disappointing. We came here with a very big target. When that did not happen, we had another option. We missed the opportunity. The opportunity was there, but we could not play good cricket, and that’s why we missed those opportunities,” Litton told reporters after the match.
Litton was forthright in admitting that his team failed to produce quality cricket in Japan, while singling out Sri Lankan batter Tharindu Ratnayake for praise after his blistering 32-ball 65.
Bangladesh initially seized control by reducing Sri Lanka to 54-5 inside the eleventh over, but Ratnayake and skipper Sahan Arachchige staged a remarkable recovery with a 93-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
In reply, the batting order fell apart as Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Litton Das all departed for ducks, leaving Nasum Ahmed to top-score with 26 from No. 9.
“The explanation for the defeat is that we did not play good cricket. I felt that we bowled very well in the first eight overs. Then you saw how a batter came in and played the kind of shots he did on this wicket, which was very difficult. But he batted extraordinarily well, and our bowlers simply could not find a clue as to how to make a comeback from there,” Litton added.