Saifuddin grateful to Litton for comeback opportunity
Saifuddin vows to repay captain’s trust
After being left out of the T20 World Cup squad earlier this year, all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has made a strong return to the Bangladesh national side — and he credits current T20I captain Litton Das for reigniting his international career.
Saifuddin was recalled to the T20I team in May 2024 following a string of impressive performances with both bat and ball for Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
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Despite taking eight wickets in four matches against Zimbabwe earlier this year, he was overlooked for the T20 World Cup — missing out even on the standby list. His absence raised questions over his future with the national team.
However, a consistent run in the domestic circuit, including 12 wickets in 11 BPL games and solid outings in the Dhaka Premier League, led to a recall for the Sri Lanka series. He featured again in the just-concluded Pakistan series, where he was one of the few positives in Bangladesh’s heavy defeat in the third T20I — scoring a resilient 35* off 34 balls.
Speaking to Cricfrenzy, Saifuddin shared the moment that sparked his comeback:
“First of all, I must thank Litton Kumar Das. I’ve played alongside him for Abahani for a long time. Just a month ago, I had no idea I’d be back in the national team. I wasn’t even picked for the ‘A’ series against Ireland. I thought I would have to wait longer and prove myself again in the BPL. But suddenly Litton called me and said, ‘You’re my main player, prepare yourself accordingly.’ Hearing such words from the captain boosted my confidence and made me want to push myself harder,” he said.
While Saifuddin is full of gratitude for Litton, he also hinted at disappointment over the lack of support during Najmul Hossain Shanto’s stint as captain.
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“Shanto was captain before. Maybe if I had received this kind of encouragement then, I could’ve done even better. But now that Litton has backed me, I’ll try to honour that faith and thank him for it,” he added.
Bangladesh have long been searching for a reliable pace-bowling all-rounder, with recent experiments involving Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Many believe Saifuddin’s skill set still makes him the most balanced option in that role. His recent contribution with both bat and ball, including three wickets across the Sri Lanka series and one against Pakistan, further strengthens his case.
“Whenever I get the opportunity, I’ll try to contribute with both bat and ball. Inshallah, I’ll give my best to justify the trust Litton has shown in me. Winning matches boosts the confidence of the whole team. We’re a young side and we’ve performed well against Zimbabwe and Pakistan. Hopefully, this momentum will carry into upcoming series. With the Asia Cup and World Cup ahead, these wins will definitely help,” Saifuddin concluded.
With renewed confidence and a captain firmly in his corner, Mohammad Saifuddin appears determined to reclaim his place as a crucial asset in Bangladesh’s white-ball setup.
