After Two Years, Bangladesh Sees a Different Flavor with Two Right-Handed Openers
A New Chapter for the Tigers with Double Right-Handed Start
Bangladesh cricket has always been experimental when it comes to the T20 opening position.
Over nearly two years, 14 different opening pairs were tried across 81 innings. Yet in every case, one end was occupied by a left-handed batter. At last, that pattern has changed.
A Fresh Start Against the Netherlands
In the third and final T20 of the series, the team management rested regular openers Tanzid Tamim and Parvez Hossain Emon. Instead, Saif Hassan and Liton Das were sent to open the innings. This marked the first time in almost two years that Bangladesh fielded two right-handed openers.
Breaking the Wait with a Fiery Start
The last instance of such a combination was in December 2023, when Liton Das and Rony Talukdar opened against New Zealand. That partnership, however, was broken after just 13 runs. This time, Liton and Saif took an aggressive approach from the very beginning, adding 39 runs in just 19 balls. Though Saif departed for 12 off 8 deliveries, the opening stand offered a glimpse of fresh promise.
Three Right-Handers Together
Following Saif’s dismissal, Towhid Hridoy came in at number three. This meant, for the first time in almost two and a half years, Bangladesh’s top order featured three right-handed batters together. The previous instance dates back to September 2022 against the UAE, when Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman, and Liton Das opened the innings.
A Different Taste of Bangladesh
For a long time, left-handers dominated Bangladesh’s top order. But this time, the Tigers showed that a different combination can also be effective. After two years, this change in the opening order signals a new balance in the team’s batting lineup.