PAK vs BAN: Litton Das Joins MS Dhoni In An Elite Club With Gritty Century in Rawalpindi Test

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In a dramatic turnaround, Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das delivered a masterclass in resilience and skill, scoring a magnificent century to bring his team back from the brink in the second Test against Pakistan at Rawalpindi.

Litton's fourth Test century was not only a personal milestone but also a crucial innings that helped Bangladesh recover from a dire situation and put them in a commanding position as the match progressed into its later stages.

The visitors were in deep trouble early on, reeling at 26/6 after Pakistan had posted a first-innings total of 274. The Pakistani bowlers, led by a fiery spell from Khurram Shahzad, had dismantled the top order, leaving Bangladesh staring at the possibility of an embarrassing collapse. However, Litton Das, who has become one of Bangladesh's most reliable batsmen in recent years, refused to succumb to the pressure.

Partnering with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton began to rebuild the innings. The duo put together a monumental 165-run partnership for the seventh wicket, displaying a mix of solid defense and calculated aggression.

Mehidy, who played an equally important role in the recovery, was eventually dismissed for 78 by Khurram Shahzad, but by then, the pair had already ensured that Bangladesh was back in the game.

Litton continued his masterclass, reaching his century in style before forging another vital partnership with Hasan Mahmud. The pair added valuable runs, taking Bangladesh to a respectable total of 250. Litton's brilliant knock came to an end at 138, but his efforts had ensured that his team did not fall far behind Pakistan's first-innings total.

With this century, Litton Das joined an elite list of overseas wicketkeepers who have scored Test centuries in Pakistan. He became only the sixth overseas wicketkeeper to achieve this feat, joining the likes of cricketing legends Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni, and Romesh Kaluwitharana.

Overseas Wicketkeepers with Test Centuries in Pakistan:

• Warren Lees (New Zealand) - 152 in 1976 at National Stadium, Karachi
• Romesh Kaluwitharana (Sri Lanka) - 100 in 1999 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 230 in 2002, 104 in 2009 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• MS Dhoni (India) - 148 in 2006 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
• Ollie Pope (England) - 108 in 2022 at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• Litton Das (Bangladesh) - 138 in 2024 at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

Read more: PAK vs BAN 2024: Babar Azam hits new low in Test cricket as Pakistan on cusp of series defeat vs Bangladesh

As the match stands, Litton's century, coupled with Hasan Mahmud's late strikes on Day 3, has put Bangladesh in the driver's seat. Pakistan, already two wickets down and with only a slender lead of 21 runs, find themselves under immense pressure.

The onus is now on Pakistan's senior batsmen to step up and bat their way out of trouble, while Bangladesh will look to their bowlers to capitalize on this advantageous position and push for a potential victory.

The coming days promise to deliver thrilling cricket as both teams fight to take control of the match, but for now, it is Bangladesh who hold the upper hand, thanks in large part to the heroics of Litton Das.