All three got fifty at Hagley Oval today. Liton Das played an innings of 69 runs off 42 balls on his 29th birthday. In Pakistan's run chase, Babar Azam scored 55 runs off 40 balls, Mohammad Rizwan scored 69 off 56 balls.
At the end of the game when the prize distribution was going on, the three were seen standing on the side talking. It's not just a story to talk about, but a serious conversation. While Babar-Rizwan plays the consultant, Liton is the attentive audience.
So, what advice did the two Pakistani openers give to the top order batsman of Bangladesh?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released some parts of the conversation between the three on social media.
There, Liton is seen advising Babar Azam not to listen to critics, 'The less you listen to outsiders, the stronger your faith will be. Because even if you don't want to, a doubt comes in yourself. Even if you're playing well, someone might say something, and then you think, 'Everything is fine!'
Rizwan was listening to the words of the Pakistan captain.
Rizwan is in incredible form, having completed fifty in 9 of the last 15 T20Is. However, along with success, failure is also normal - for this he emphasized on being mentally strong. I believe one thing, nothing is possible without hard work. Yes, if someone makes an exception in their respective team, the result can be different. Some are as strong-minded as Shakib. You know, I also know it's part of the game to take a catch, to score a century, to become a big player. Liton Das is the big player...Rizwan's catch runs, wins the match and becomes man of the match. But if it was caught, none of this would have happened.
3.151 SRY