Litton Das Eyes Asian Games Gold: Can Bangladesh Repeat 2010?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-24

Bangladesh captain Litton Das has one thing on his mind: gold. The wicketkeeper-batter spoke to reporters in Mirpur on September 23, 2026, just before his team flew out to Nagoya for the Asian Games men's cricket competition. His message was simple. This is a rare shot at a national dream, and he doesn't want to waste it. "We're eager, we're excited," Das said, according to a Cricinfo report. You can hear the hunger in his voice. This isn't just another tournament for Bangladesh. It's a chance to do something the country has only done once before. ### A Rare Chance to Make History Here's the thing about Bangladesh cricket. They've never won an Olympic medal or a World Cup. But they do have one Asian Games gold, and it came back in 2010 in Guangzhou, China. That victory remains the only gold medal Bangladesh has ever won at the Asian Games across any sport. Since then, the men's team has taken bronze in 2014 and 2023. The women's side has two silvers and a bronze. Good results, sure, but not gold. Das and his teammates know the difference. "A strong result here could boost our pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics," Das said. Cricket returns to the Olympics that year, and Bangladesh wants to be part of it. ### Direct Entry Gives Bangladesh a Head Start Organizers handed Bangladesh a direct spot in the quarter-finals alongside India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. That's a big deal. While other teams battle through the preliminary league from September 24 to 26, Bangladesh can rest, train, and study their opponents. Their first knockout match is set for September 29. Win three games in a row, and they take the title. That's the goal. - **Quarter-final:** September 29, 2026 - **Semi-final:** TBD - **Final:** TBD The squad traveled to Japan in two separate flights on Thursday evening and night. They'll base their campaign in Nagoya. ### Limited Match Rhythm, But No Excuses Let's be honest. Bangladesh hasn't had the best year in T20 cricket. They played eight T20 Internationals in 2026, winning three and losing five. They faced New Zealand, Australia, and Zimbabwe. Their last series win came in July, a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe. Das knows the numbers. But he also knows the Asian Games is different. "It's a multi-sport event," he said. "You're around athletes from other disciplines. That's extra motivation." He urged his teammates to learn from franchise leagues. He pointed to Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman as examples of players whose global T20 appearances opened doors for Bangladeshi cricket. ### A Late Injury Shake-Up Just before departure, Bangladesh got bad news. Fast-bowling allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin suffered a right hamstring injury in training. Medical tests ruled him out of the entire tournament. Selectors called up 29-year-old mystery offspinner Aliss Al Islam as his replacement. Aliss earned his first senior T20 call-up after strong performances for Bangladesh A in South Africa. His inclusion adds spin depth to the squad. > "We've prepared thoroughly," Das said. "Our objective is clear: reach the final." ### The Bottom Line Bangladesh has the talent. They have the motivation. And they have a captain who remembers what gold feels like, even if he wasn't there in 2010. Das missed the 2023 Asian Games because of the ICC Cricket World Cup. This time, he's all in. The question is simple: can Bangladesh turn a rare opportunity into a second gold medal? We'll find out starting September 29.