Litton showed great character amid poor form and trolling, says Nafees

Bangladesh team manager Nafees Iqbal was full of praise for Litton Das following Bangladesh's historic T20I series win in Sri Lanka -- their first-ever series victory of any format on Lankan soil.

Speaking to the media upon returning home this morning, Nafees hailed Litton's resilience and leadership under pressure.

"It wasn't easy for him," Nafees said. "He was going through a bad patch coming into the series. We know that when we go through such phases, given how emotional our people, social media trolling becomes intense. The way he bounced back and led the team-- he played a fantastic role. He showed great character. We hope and pray that he can keep this up."

Litton is now a very happy man. Carrying the series-winning trophy in hand and wearing a broad smile, he walked out of the airport this morning. But just days earlier, things looked bleak.

Bangladesh's tour of Sri Lanka had started on a grim note. The team faltered in Tests and ODIs, and the T20I series began no differently --with a defeat. 

Litton, scoreless in the only ODI he played, was left out of the next two matches. His struggles continued in the opening T20I, where he failed with the bat again.

As the losses piled up and questions over his form grew louder, Litton found himself under immense pressure -- not just as a player, but as the team's captain.

But the turning point came in the second T20I. Litton answered his critics with a commanding 76 off 50 balls, earning player of the match honours and levelling the series. 

The right-hander followed it up with a composed 32 in the series decider, coupled with sharp glovework and bold leadership. Bangladesh won by eight wickets, and Litton was named player of the series.

Nafees also lauded the support system behind the scenes, particularly the coaching unit.

"The coaching staff has been consistent through good times and bad. I'm very proud of our management team, especially the local members. The credit goes to all of them," he said.

However, the team will have little time to relish the historic triumph, with Pakistan already in Dhaka for a three-match T20I series starting on July 20 in Mirpur.

For Litton and his men, the focus now shifts to carrying their momentum into that challenge.