Bangladesh captain Litton Das has declared he will not resign from his leadership position despite the national team’s failure to secure a medal at the 2026 Asian Games. The campaign ended on a sour note as Bangladesh fell to Sri Lanka by 63 runs in the bronze medal match, marking the first time the side has returned empty-handed from a cricket event at the Games. “I think we bowled very well in the first 8 overs.
The match turned decisively in Sri Lanka’s favor after Bangladesh reduced their opposition to 21/4 early on. However, a defiant counter-attacking innings of 65 from Tharindu Ratnayake shifted the momentum. Litton admitted the challenge posed by the wicket and the quality of the opponent’s recovery, noting that the bowling unit struggled to find an answer once Ratnayake began his onslaught. He credited the batter for playing an extraordinary innings that proved difficult for his team to counter. It was very difficult,” Litton told reporters after the game, then you saw the kind of shots [Ratnayake] came and played on this wicket. So credit has to be given to him for playing an extraordinary innings with the bat. We couldn’t cover it up in any way, and when we went to bat.
Regarding his own form, Litton acknowledged a poor individual performance, having recorded scores of only 2 and 0 across his appearances. Despite the disappointment, he dismissed the idea of stepping down as captain, emphasizing that fluctuations in form are a natural part of the sport. He maintained that the team has contributed significantly in the past and expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back in future competitions, noting that while fans may feel frustrated, he remains committed to the role. “But he batted extraordinarily where our bowlers didn’t have a clue how to come back. Batting wise, we weren’t up to the mark today.
Outside of the match outcome, the team faced scrutiny over reports of players leaving their hotel without proper authorization. Litton defended the squad’s actions, heavily criticizing the infrastructure and support provided at the event. He questioned whether players should be expected to remain confined to their rooms throughout the day, arguing that the lack of suitable food and training facilities left them with no choice but to seek necessities elsewhere.
The captain stressed that energy and nutrition are essential for professional athletes, and the failure of the organizers to provide adequate arrangements left the players at a disadvantage. He stated clearly that if the food provided by the federation or the Games is unsuitable, the players are forced to go out to ensure they are adequately nourished, which was the sole reason behind their decision to step out of the team hotel.
