Bangladesh are set to make their long-awaited return to Test cricket in Australia, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto determined to see his side put up a strong fight throughout the five-day contest against the hosts.
The first Test of the two-match series will begin at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday, with play starting at 6:30am Bangladesh time.
Speaking ahead of the match, Shanto described the Test as a major opportunity for Bangladesh, who last played a Test in Australia in 2003.
“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,” Shanto said.
The Bangladesh captain said the team's focus would be on maintaining its performance throughout all five days rather than worrying about how long the match might last.
“We want to play good cricket for five days and take it session by session. Every session is important,” he said.
Shanto expects the Darwin pitch, which has a layer of grass, to offer assistance to both batters and bowlers, although he believes the conditions could favour the bowlers slightly.
“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,” he said.
Bangladesh have generally relied on a combination of two spinners and three seamers, but Shanto said the final bowling combination would be decided after another assessment of the pitch. He has also stressed the importance of handling Australia's bounce effectively.
The Tigers' batting unit faces a major test against an Australian attack featuring several of the world's leading Test bowlers. Shanto, however, said his batters were prepared for the challenge.
“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 head into the Test after a disappointing warm-up match in which they were bowled out for just 54 in their second innings and suffered an innings defeat. Shanto said the result should not be taken as an indication of how the team will perform in the Test.
“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,” he said.
He also recalled a conversation with former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar about the team's previous Test visit to Australia.
Shanto said the current squad should not be compared with the side that toured Australia 23 years ago, stressing that the present team has its own opportunity to prove itself.
“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,” he said.
The series marks Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia since 2003. The two-Test series is part of the World Test Championship, with the second match scheduled to be played in Mackay.
