Shanto confident Bangladesh ready for Australia challenge

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes his team is ready to embrace the challenge of facing Australia in Test cricket, insisting the visitors have prepared well enough to compete despite their heavy defeat in the warm-up match.

Tigers will take on Australia in the opening Test at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin from Thursday, their first Test on Australian soil in 23 years.

The occasion itself has added significance for Bangladesh, but Shanto wants his players to focus on the cricket rather than the history surrounding the contest.

“It’s a very good opportunity for us, I think. 23 years before we played here, we are very lucky to come back again,” Shanto said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“I hope we will play some good cricket, and we want to compete with them. As the captain, I feel that we are pretty confident to do well.”

Bangladesh’s confidence comes despite a disastrous outing in their three-day practice match against a Cricket Australia XI, where they were bowled out for 54 in their second innings and suffered an innings-and-38-run defeat.

“It was a practice match, and it can happen,” he stated.

“We came here earlier to prepare ourselves. I think we have prepared ourselves pretty well, and we're pretty confident that we will play some good cricket here.”

The captain acknowledged that batting will be the biggest challenge, especially against Australia’s expected pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

“Bounce is the main key,” Shanto said. “Last few months on home soil, we have been preparing some bouncy wickets and we tried to play a few One Day International series on a bouncy track. So, that gives us a little bit more idea.”

Bangladesh also arrived in Australia around 10-12 days before the Test, allowing the players time to adapt to the conditions.

Still, Shanto knows preparation alone will not be enough against Australia’s formidable pace attack.

“They have been a brilliant bowling attack, world-class bowling attack. But as a team, it's a good opportunity to challenge them and accept those challenges,” he added.

The Darwin pitch has plenty of grass, and Shanto expects the surface to provide assistance to both departments.

“My impression is that there is grass on the wicket, but I think the wicket will be good,” he said. “There will be help for both bowling and batting, but I think the bowlers may get a little more benefit.”

Bangladesh received a significant boost ahead of the Test with Litton Das declared fully fit.

“Yes, Litton is 100% fit now,” Shanto confirmed.

He believes Litton’s return will strengthen the batting unit after the 54-run collapse.

“Obviously, Litton’s presence will increase the depth of our batting and there is consistency in that department,” he said.

The 27-year-old also admitted Bangladesh will miss Nahid Rana, who was ruled out of the Australia tour with a side strain. However, he has faith in the pace attack available to him.

“Of course we will miss him. But now there is no point thinking about ‘if’ and ‘but’. It is very unfortunate Nahid Rana is not here. But the pace unit that is here, I believe they can also use these conditions well,” he added.

Ebadat Hossain is another option after returning from injury, and Shanto praised his progress since making his comeback.

“Ebadat has been outstanding before he got injured. He is coming back and he played two or three Test matches after the injury, and he has been bowling well,” he said.

Shoriful Islam, meanwhile, is expected to return for the second Test after passing his fitness test.

Australia may be the No. 1 Test side and Bangladesh may be entering unfamiliar territory, but Shanto believes the opportunity itself can drive his players.

“There is no need to motivate anyone here,” he said. “Playing against Australia is a big opportunity for every player.”

“If we can do something individually and as a team here, it will be very good for our country’s cricket,” he concluded.