ICC World Cup 2019 | It was pleasure to bat with Shakib next to me, reveals Liton Das

The Bangla Tigers led by old warhorse Mashrafe Mortaza are definitely one of the most improved teams at the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019 which is being played in England & Wales. While their bowling has been as per expectations, their batting order has thoroughly impressed at the global showpiece after all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan jumped to the top of the run-getters list on the back of a brilliant 124 off just 99 deliveries. 

Shakib was assisted by middle-order batsman Liton Das, who made his first appearance at a World Cup with the national team. Das, who scored an impressive 94 off 69 deliveries, revealed that he was a bit nervous at the start of his innings but felt privileged to bat alongside Shakib at the crease.

“I was a bit nervous as this was my first match in the World Cup. The first 15 balls I faced were short and I was a bit nervous facing them. But Shakib told me: ‘If you stay in for five or six overs on this wicket, then it’ll be easy. The wicket is good, so believe in yourself’.

“It was a pleasure to bat with Shakib and finish the game with him. It was a good innings, my pleasure,” Das said at a post-match conference on Monday. 

Yesterday's win moves Bangladesh to fifth in the points table, who find themselves just a point behind hosts England in fourth. Das had earlier impressed in his innings of 73 during the warm-up game against India but failed to make the cut in Bangladesh's playing XI for the group stage encounters, until Monday’s fixture. 

“I did well against India, but this was special. Nobody could imagine doing this [in a first World Cup game]. It feels good,” Das added.