Litton Return Ends 160-Run Partnership

Bangladesh’s innings in the third and final ODI against New Zealand in Chattogram swung dramatically from early collapse to a commanding recovery, before losing momentum again with the dismissal of Litton Das, who fell agonisingly short of a century after a fluent counterattack.

After being reduced to early trouble, Bangladesh were rescued by a substantial fourth-wicket partnership between Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto. The pair not only stabilised the innings but also transformed the scoring rate, adding successive milestones of 50, 75, 100 and eventually 160 runs together before Litton’s departure.

Early collapse under pressure

Bangladesh’s innings began shakily, as New Zealand’s pace attack, led by Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke, applied immediate pressure with disciplined line and length. Tanzid Hasan fell early for just 1, beaten by extra bounce and dismissed after edging onto his stumps. Soumya Sarkar looked briefly promising with two crisp boundaries but was bowled for 18, playing across a delivery that seamed in sharply.

At 9 overs, Bangladesh were already two wickets down for 32, struggling to find fluency. The situation worsened when wickets continued to fall cheaply, leaving the innings in danger of complete collapse.

Shanto and Litton rebuild

Najmul Hossain Shanto, returning from a cramp-related retirement issue in the previous match, showed composure and timing from the outset. Together with Litton Das, he rebuilt steadily before accelerating against both pace and spin.

The pair reached their fifty partnership in 81 balls, then pushed beyond 100 without further damage. Litton gradually regained form after a long lean run in ODI cricket, bringing up his first fifty in 19 innings—his previous half-century having come in the 2023 World Cup against India.

At the 33-over mark, Bangladesh had recovered to 157 for 3, with Litton on 52 and Shanto on 81, both eyeing big scores.

Momentum shifts and milestones

Litton reached his fifty from 71 balls, a landmark that marked a significant return to form. Shanto, meanwhile, continued to anchor the innings with maturity, reaching his own half-century off 70 deliveries.

By the 30-over stage, the partnership had grown to 103 runs, with Litton contributing 45 and Shanto 56. The duo eventually stretched the stand further, moving past 125 runs and then 160, effectively neutralising New Zealand’s early advantage.

However, just as Litton looked set to accelerate towards a potential century—hitting a six and a four off consecutive deliveries from O’Rourke—he fell next over, bowled by left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox while attempting an aggressive drive.

Litton departed for 76 off 91 balls, including one six and three fours, ending the mammoth 160-run partnership.

Key batting and partnerships

Partnership summary

End of a key stand

After Litton’s dismissal, Towhid Hridoy joined Shanto at the crease with Bangladesh well placed at 4 for 198 in 39 overs. Shanto remained unbeaten on 93, closing in on a well-earned century, while Bangladesh looked to capitalise on the platform built after their early setbacks.

Despite the late setback, the Litton–Shanto partnership stood out as the defining phase of the innings, transforming a fragile start into a competitive total-building effort against a disciplined New Zealand attack.