'We have moved on,’ Litton on T20 World Cup

Bangladesh T20 captain Litton Das insisted that the side had moved on from the disappointment of missing out on the last T20 World Cup as they prepare to face New Zealand in a three-match series in Chattogram starting from Monday.

The Tigers withdrew from the tournament despite arriving in arguably their best T20 shape in years, having won four series under Litton's captaincy, and reached the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup.

"I definitely think we have moved on," Litton told reporters ahead of Monday's opening match. "Right after that World Cup period, we played a tournament where the players tried to play good cricket."

"The main thing is, in international cricket, each and every single game is important for the players. I think the players will think accordingly and do what is required to represent Bangladesh with a winning mindset," he added.

Litton, whose captaincy tenure was extended till 2028 T20 World Cup following the episode, said the experience had only sharpened the team's focus on the long road ahead.

"Our main goal is the 2028 T20 World Cup, and we know it will not be held in Asia. We will think along those lines," he said. "The bonding that we had prior to the last World Cup, the preparation, was good. We will try to maintain that and continue it."

With no immediate world event on the horizon, Litton said the nine T20s Bangladesh are scheduled to play this year — all against top sides — presented a timely opportunity to blood new players and ease pressure off senior campaigners.

Key pacers Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana have all been rested for the New Zealand series, with Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Ripon Mondol handed opportunities in their absence.

"The two that are not here are assets of Bangladesh cricket. I don't want them to play relentlessly and get injured, as we have a lot of one-day matches and Tests coming up," Litton noted.