Liton is Thisara Perera's 'main player

Liton is Thisara Perera's 'main player'

There is nothing to say except for a 42-run innings in the last six international T20Is. He has not reached double figures in the last seven innings in another version of the white ball ODI. Surely you understand who is being talked about. Yes, Liton Das.

No matter how the recent times in international cricket go, Liton Das could be the main weapon of Durdanto Dhaka in the franchise T20 tournament BPL starting tomorrow. At least, Dhaka's Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera is placing that trust in Liton.

Thisara Perera said the same thing while facing the reporters today after practicing at the academy ground of Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, 'Liton Das is the most important member of our team. It is difficult to stop him when he keeps scoring runs. He has done great in the last few years. I can say that Liton is our main player. We want to do everything properly, batting and bowling. Liton will be our main player.’

I know the local cricketers well, I know how to get the best out of them.

Thisara Perera Coach, Durdanto Dhaka

Thisara Perera wants to have faith not only in Liton, but also in the other local cricketers in the team. Although this is the first time he has led a franchise in the BPL, he has played in this tournament many times before. From that source, he knows the local cricketers of his own team and other teams well. From that perspective, Perera said, ‘I know the local cricketers well, I know how to get the best out of them. Even though there are some unfamiliar names, they were included in the team because they played well. We have some of the best local players in our team.’

To another question, the Durdanto Dhaka once again spoke about his reliance on local players, ‘There are many local stars in the team, including Mustafizur Rahman and Liton. They are playing well everywhere. They will give their 100 percent in franchise cricket as well. If there are good local players in the team, the fight for the title is easier.’

Thisara Perera has played for six franchises in the BPL in the past six seasons. This is his seventh BPL. So, nothing about this tournament should be unknown to Thisara Perera. Comparing it to other franchise leagues, he called BPL one of the best, ‘Of all the leagues I have played, BPL is one of the best. I have played in many leagues. It is good, it is bad—it would not be right to say that. BPL is improving every year, that is the biggest thing. Congratulations to them.’

(Of all the leagues I have played, BPL is one of the best. I have played in many leagues. It is good, it is bad—it would not be right to say that. BPL is improving every year, that is the biggest thing.

Thisara Perera, Coach, Durdanto Dhaka

He was full of praise when asked about BPL, ‘I have been playing BPL for many years, I see improvement every year. Everything is fine in terms of management this time. Especially our team. It is great for foreign cricketers.’

In many countries, franchise tournaments stop after one or two seasons, and then start again later. But the BPL is happening consistently, which is what Perera sees as a big deal. ‘The BPL Governing Council has been doing great for the last few years. I won’t compare, but it is a great place to play cricket,’ he said.