Bangladesh senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin. File Photo

DHAKA, May 12, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin believes that Liton Das is the perfect choice as captain to lead the side in the T20 format because of the immense tactical intelligence he possesses. 

"If we talk about Liton's strength as a captain, he is a very good tactician," Salahuddin said about Liton's captaincy. 

"He has good idea about the strength of the bowlers. He analyses the opponents very well. He has clear idea about how to set up the field in T20s, how to take the game forward, how to take the batting forward."

Salahuddin said Liton needs the support to take the team forward as Bangladesh are going through a transitional period following the retirements of senior players from this format. 

"Liton is very good in all aspects of the qualities needed for captaincy. He is trying to take the team forward," he said.

"We, who are by his side, have to support him, give him that freedom. Then he will do well."

The support for Liton is imperative because of the challenges that a Bangladesh captain faces always, Salahuddin added.

 "The captain of the Bangladesh team is actually the captain of the entire country," he opined. 

"Many people may dislike many, and many people may get angry when they see him as captain. Captaining the Bangladesh team may seem very easy from the outside. But it is a very difficult job. For this, we all have to support each other."

Salahuddin said the players in the team would have to do the crucial job to make his task easier. 

"All can't perform together. This is a big issue. If we had many performers, it would have been easy for captain. We don't have consistency in our performance. We accept that. This is a big challenge."

Liton played under Salahuddin's coaching for a long time at Comilla Victorians. The understanding between the two is also quite good. 

"We always see Liton a little differently. We think differently when we see him because he doesn't talk much. Those who get along with him closely don't have that misconception."

Even though he has not served as a regular captain yet, Liton has a big achievement like winning the series against India.

Liton's first assignment will be a two-match T20 series against UAE. Later, Bangladesh are scheduled to play five T20 Internationals in Pakistan.

However, Liton has been in off form of late, which raised a question whether he can inspire the team to achieve more glory.
 
Salahuddin believes that Liton will overcome it quickly.

"If you talk about weaknesses, it is his off form at this moment. It may be his weakness for now. But I think he will come out of this quickly."