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Bangladesh are finally set to play a Test on Australian soil, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto viewing the long-awaited opportunity as a major platform to prove the team’s ability.
In the first Test of the series against Australia in Darwin, the Tigers are targeting not just a result but a strong fight across all five days.
The match will begin at 6:30am Bangladesh time at Marrara Stadium in Darwin.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Shanto discussed Bangladesh’s preparation, the pitch conditions and the team’s objectives. He said the grass on the Darwin pitch could assist both batters and bowlers, although he expects the bowlers to have a slight advantage.
“The wicket looks good. There is grass on it. I think there will be assistance for both batting and bowling, but the bowlers may get a little more help,” Shanto said.
Shanto did not reveal whether Bangladesh would change their playing XI based on the conditions. The team generally prefers a combination of two spinners and three pacers, but the final decision will be made after another assessment of the conditions before the match.
“We have usually played with two spinners and three seamers. But we still have an opportunity to look at the conditions tomorrow before making a decision,” he said.
Shanto described the return to Australia as a huge opportunity for Bangladesh, noting that the team last played a Test there 23 years ago.
“It is a very big opportunity for us. We played here 23 years ago, and fortunately we have been able to come back. We want to fight. As captain, I am confident that we can do well. It feels good. Playing a Test here is exciting. This is certainly a huge opportunity for us,” he said.
The Bangladesh captain said he was not thinking about how long the Test might last. Instead, the team would focus on giving its best in every session.
“We want to play good cricket for five days and take it session by session. Every session is important. There will always be discussions about how many days the match will last, but our focus will be on how well we can play,” Shanto said.
He also acknowledged that Bangladesh’s batting unit faces a difficult challenge against Australia but said the batters are ready to embrace it.
“As a batting unit, there will certainly be challenges. We have worked on those areas. The boys are eager to take on the challenge,” he said.
Bangladesh suffered an innings defeat in their warm-up match before the series, being bowled out for just 54 in the second innings. However, Shanto does not want that result to be linked with the main series.
He said the purpose of the warm-up was to prepare the team and work on areas that needed improvement.
“It was a practice match, and such things can happen. We came early specifically to prepare ourselves. I think we have prepared well and are hopeful of playing good cricket,” the Bangladesh captain said.
Asked about the 54-run collapse, Shanto also mentioned a conversation with former captain Habibul Bashar Suman.
According to Shanto, there is little scope for comparison between Bangladesh’s team 23 years ago and the current side.
“I was talking to Bashar bhai about how the team from 23 years ago is no longer there. He also has faith in this team. As for the practice match, we have played such matches before. A bad day can happen,” he said.
Despite the poor outing in the warm-up, Shanto believes Bangladesh can avoid a similar performance in the Test. For him, the key now is how the team responds to the real challenge against Australia and demonstrates its ability and mental strength.
“I believe such a day will not come in the Test match. That is my belief. The warm-up was part of our preparation. The battle starts tomorrow. What matters is how we accept the challenge,” Shanto said.