Skipper Shanto urges teammates to focus on session-by-session Test battle against Australia

Highlights:

• Shanto says the team will focus on one session at a time
• Litton Das is fully fit and available for the Test
• Nahid Rana will miss the match
• Shanto backs Taskin and Hasan to exploit the conditions

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has urged his teammates to focus on playing quality cricket session by session as they prepare for the opening Test of their two-match series against Australia in Darwin tomorrow (13 August). The match kicks off at 6.30am (BST).

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (12 August), Shanto acknowledged the challenge posed by Australia’s experienced bowling attack and the unfamiliar conditions, but said Bangladesh were determined to compete throughout the five-day match.

“As players, we want to play good cricket for five days. We want to play each session by session, which is what we always say,” Shanto said.

Bangladesh head into the Test after suffering an innings defeat to a Cricket Australia XI in their three-day warm-up match, raising questions about their preparations. Shanto, however, said the players were not concerned about outside expectations and would focus on their own performance.

“Each session is important. Will it be four days, five days, or three days, there will be such discussions. But as players, we will always aim to see how well we can play cricket,” he said.

Shanto also confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is fully fit after recovering from injury. Litton did not play in the warm-up match after joining the squad, but his availability has provided Bangladesh with a boost ahead of the Test.

The captain stressed the importance of individual contributions, saying big scores from the batters and five-wicket hauls from the bowlers could have a major impact on the team’s performance.

“There is no need to give anyone extra motivation. Everyone knows that a big score here, five wickets, doing well as a team, all these will be very useful for us and for the future of our team,” he said.

Bangladesh will face a stern examination from Australia’s pace attack on the drop-in pitch at Marrara Stadium. The grassy surface is expected to provide some assistance to the fast bowlers, particularly with the new ball.

Shanto said Bangladesh’s batters would need to remain patient while continuing to play their natural game.

“There are always challenges everywhere with the new ball. Here there might be a little more. As long as we bat here, whoever bats will play their natural game and play for runs,” he said.

He also stressed the need for sustained concentration against Australia’s experienced bowling unit.

“It is very important to bat with concentration for a long time. They are a very good bowling attack. To handle this attack properly, we must bat with a lot more concentration and good thinking,” Shanto said.

Bangladesh will be without young pacer Nahid Rana, whose absence is a setback given the expected pace and bounce in Darwin. Shanto admitted the bowler would be missed but said the team could not dwell on his absence.

“It is very unfortunate that Nahid Rana is not here. But it is not worth thinking about ifs and buts,” he said.

Instead, Bangladesh will rely on Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud to lead the pace attack. Shanto expressed confidence that both bowlers could make good use of the conditions.

“The pace unit that we have here, I believe they will also be able to use these conditions well,” he said.

Shanto expects the drop-in pitch to offer something for both batters and bowlers, although he believes the pacers could have a slight advantage.

“I think there is definitely grass on the wicket, but I think the wicket will be good. There will be help for both bowling and batting here. But I think the bowlers might get a little more benefit,” he said.

Bangladesh have limited experience playing on drop-in pitches, but Shanto said adapting to unfamiliar conditions is part of being a professional cricketer.

“We have not had the opportunity to play on a drop-in wicket before, so I do not know what will happen. As professional cricketers, we have to adapt to these challenges. We have prepared and hopefully we can adapt to the conditions here,” he said.

While expecting Australia’s pace attack to make batting difficult, Shanto said Bangladesh’s bowlers could also create problems for the hosts.

“Of course, batting will be more challenging. But we all know that their batting lineup is also strong, so there will be challenges in bowling too,” he said.

Shanto drew confidence from Bangladesh’s recent bowling performances, particularly the experience Hasan Mahmud gained from playing county cricket in England.

“Our bowling unit has been doing very well for the last few years. There is Taskin, there is Hasan who played county cricket a few months ago and did well. So I am quite confident about the bowling. They will be able to adapt to the conditions here and challenge Australia,” he said.