Bangladesh are set to leave for Australia on Friday night for their first bilateral Test series there in 23 years, but they will travel without three key players because of injuries. Fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam, along with wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, are all unavailable or doubtful, yet Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto remains confident in the squad at his disposal.
Speaking at the pre-tour press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday, Shanto said, “Injuries are not something that anyone can control. Any player can get injured at any time. But I have complete faith in the squad that is travelling to Australia and believe we are capable of playing good cricket.”
Nahid has already been ruled out of the two-Test series after suffering a Grade-2 side strain, while Shoriful and Litton are unlikely to feature in the opening Test in Darwin, scheduled for August 13-17, as they continue their recovery from hamstring and calf strain.
Rather than dwelling on the absence of key players, Shanto wants his team to focus on making the most of the resources available.
“There’s no point now in thinking about how much better it would have been if certain players were available. What matters is how well this group can perform and how much belief we have in each other. I certainly have that belief,” he said.
Bangladesh will be playing a bilateral Test series in Australia for the first time since 2003, with vastly different conditions awaiting them. While acknowledging the challenge, Shanto said the team would look to carry forward the positive brand of Test cricket they have developed in recent years.
“We will try to play the same brand of Test cricket that we have played over the last few years. I believe our Test team is in a good place at the moment. From here, the aim is to make sure we don’t go backwards and instead continue improving,” he said.
Shanto also stressed the importance of adapting quickly to Australian conditions. “The conditions will be different, so adapting as quickly as possible will be crucial. There is no special or separate plan.”
