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Bangladesh National Cricket Team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was elated with the fact that the Australia National Cricket Team would play with a full-strength squad in the upcoming two-match Test series. This series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.
Najmul Hossain Shanto believes that it is a sign that Australia is taking Bangladesh seriously, calling it a proud moment for Bangladesh cricket. Bangladesh is all set to play tests in Australia after 23 years, and before this, they will play a three-day warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI starting August 6.
Darwin's Marrara Cricket Ground will be hosting the first Test between Bangladesh and Australia from August 13, while the second and final Test will be played at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, starting August 22. Both teams will be aiming to make this historic series memorable.
Najmul Hossain Shanto welcomes Australia's big challenge ahead of historic Test series
Ahead of the challenging tour, Najmul Hossain Shanto said that Bangladesh has rarely seen top teams face them with their strongest possible squad.
Najmul Hossain Shanto feels Australia picking the full-strength squad is a proud moment for Bangladesh because it shows that they are not treating the series as an easy assignment.
The Bangladesh skipper believes that it is the perfect chance for his team to test itself against one of the world's strongest Test sides and prove how much they have improved in red-ball cricket. Earlier, Pat Cummins returns as captain, as Australia name 13-man squad for Bangladesh Test.
I have never seen anything like this before: Najmul Hossain Shanto
Najmul Hossain Shanto said during the Notun Kuri final ceremony at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, as quoted by Cricbuzz, "Normally, I have never seen anything like this before in Bangladesh cricket. When teams play against us, there are usually a lot of experiments. I would say this is an achievement for our team.”
The skipper further added, “Because they have brought such a team, it is a very big opportunity for us to see how well we can play cricket against them. I would say we have already managed to build a good position with this Test team. Because if you look at the opposition squad, it is clear that they have not taken this series lightly.”
Litton Das, Nahid Rana injury worries hit Bangladesh before Australia Tests
However, the Bangladesh team has several injury concerns before the Australia Test series. Star wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is still recovering from the calf injury he suffered in June. He recently travelled to Singapore for medical treatment and shared an update on social media.
Litton posted on X: “Yet to heal, but staying positive. Grateful for the medical care and attention in Singapore, though. Keep me in your prayers.”
Young fast bowler Nahid Rana is also doubtful after suffering a side strain during the recent T20I series in Zimbabwe. On the other hand, the left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam has also suffered a hamstring injury on the same tour, but he is expected to recover in time for the second Test.
Not just that, the Tigers will be without their experienced pacer Ebadot Hossain in the upcoming Test series in Australia, as he has taken leave to be with his wife and newborn baby.
