Bangladesh's cricket team received a significant boost ahead of their first Test match against Australia, as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto confirmed that wicketkeeper Litton Das is now "100 percent fit." This news comes as the team prepares to face a formidable Australian side in Darwin on Thursday, marking Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia in 23 years.
Litton Das, who has been sidelined since June due to a left calf injury, was initially expected to miss the opening match of the two-match series. However, his late inclusion in the squad has been welcomed by the team, especially after their disappointing performance in a recent warm-up game, where they lost by an innings and 38 runs. Shanto expressed confidence in Das's ability to strengthen the batting lineup, stating, "Litton gives us batting depth. He is consistent. We are hopeful of our batting unit doing well in the Test match."
This series is particularly significant for Bangladesh, as it represents their first Test visit to Australia since 2003. The challenge ahead is daunting, as they will be up against a full-strength Australian team, currently ranked number one in the world. The Australian squad is bolstered by the return of key players, including bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, all of whom have recovered from injuries.
While Shanto confirmed Das's return, he refrained from revealing the complete starting XI, indicating that he would assess the pitch conditions one last time before finalizing the team. However, he hinted at the possibility of fielding both frontline spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, in the playing XI. "The surface looks good, I think we might stick with our normal combination, like two spinners and three seamers," Shanto noted, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the conditions.
Bangladesh will be without the services of injured fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, which places additional pressure on their bowling attack. Taskin Ahmed is set to lead the pace unit, supported by at least two of Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, and Musfik Hasan. Taskin acknowledged the impact of the missing players, particularly Rana, who has emerged as a significant threat in world cricket. "We're going to really miss them, especially Rana. He's a big threat nowadays in world cricket," Taskin admitted. "But still, myself and some of the other bowlers have a little bit of experience. So let's see how we do."
As Bangladesh gears up for this historic Test series, the players are keen to make a mark against a strong Australian side. Despite the challenges posed by injuries and the formidable opposition, the team remains hopeful of delivering a competitive performance.
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