Liton dethrones Shakib as top T20 run-getter for Bangladesh

Liton Das displaced Shakib Al Hasan as the top run-getter for Bangladesh in the T20 Internationals after scoring a crucial 23 runs against Sri Lanka in his side’s Asia Cup Super Fours opening game at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Liton, the captain of Bangladesh team, went into the match with 19 runs needing to unseat Shakib from the top spot.

He did the job without any fuss but failed to convert the start to a big knock.

Nevertheless, the 23 he scored was crucial given the match situation as Bangladesh received a setback in the first over of the chase when inform opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim was dismissed for a duck.

Sri Lanka’s 168-7 looked a distant dream even in a placid deck. But Liton played some gorgeous shots around the wicket to quell the tension in the Bangladesh tent.

More importantly, his bold approach spread the confidence to Saif Hasan, who looked a bit shaky at the outset. Saif later played his career-best 61 to script Bangladesh’s four-wicket victory.

Shakib Al Hasan was at the top of the batting ladder with 2551 runs from 129 matches. Liton went past him in 114 matches.

When Liton eclipsed Shakib from the batting chart, Mustafizur levelled the ace allrounder in bowling by taking 3-20. Mustafizur is expected to unseat Shakib from the bowling ladder anytime soon.