Watch: Litton Das played a bizarre shot to get out first ball in the fourth innings of the first Test of the two-match series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
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Riding on record-breaking twin tons from Dhananjaya de Silva (102 and 108) and Kamindu Mendis (102 and 164), Sri Lanka set Bangladesh 511 in the first Test of the two-match series, at Sylhet.
Thirteen overs still remained on the third day, and Bangladesh had lost Mahmudul Hasan Joy to Vishwa Fernando and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to Kasun Rajitha by the second over. Zakir Hasan resisted before perishing against Lahiru Kumara in the eighth over, while Fernando took out Shahadat Hossain in the ninth.
That brought Litton Das to the crease at No.6. Over first three days, Das had kept wicket for 178.4 overs across innings. It was interrupted by a four-hour gap when Bangladesh batted, during which Das made 25.
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By the time the left-arm seamer Fernando released the ball from over the wicket, Das had already left the crease. He took a couple of steps forward and attempted an almighty heave towards deep mid-wicket, completely mistimed the shot, and Angelo Mathews took an easy catch on the off-side, near the pitch – all this off the first ball he faced.
Fernando did not get his hat-trick, but he had 3-13 by stumps on day three to go with his first-innings haul 4-48. Bangladesh were 47-5 with Mominul Haque (7) and Taijul Islam (6) at the crease. They need another 464.
Das’ shot came under severe criticism from everyone watching, especially given the situation of the match.
