Bangladesh captain confirms Litton Das fit for Australia Test opener
Najmul Hossain Shanto says team will assess Darwin pitch before finalising playing XI, with two-spin option on the table
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is 100 per cent fit and available for the first Test against Australia in Darwin. Das, who had been sidelined since June with a left calf injury, was initially ruled out of the opening match but has been added to the squad and is expected to play.
The return of Das provides a boost to the Bangladesh batting lineup ahead of a series that marks the team's first Test tour of Australia in 23 years. Their previous visit to the country occurred in 2003, making this a significant milestone for the side as they face a world No. 1 Australian team.
Australia have been strengthened by the return of key players Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon from injury. In contrast, Bangladesh will be without fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam due to injuries. Taskin Ahmed is expected to lead the pace attack, with at least two of Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, and Musfik Hasan likely to join him.
Shanto indicated that Bangladesh may select two specialist spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, for the match. However, he stated that the team would review the Darwin pitch before making a final decision on the playing XI.
"The surface looks good, I think we (might stick with our) normal combination, like two spinners and three seamers," Shanto said. "But looking at the conditions, tomorrow we'll have a chance to see it again, and then we'll decide according to the conditions."
Taskin Ahmed acknowledged the impact of missing players Rana and Shoriful Islam, describing Rana as a "big threat nowadays in world cricket." Despite the absence of these bowlers, Taskin expressed hope that the remaining pace options could perform well on the Australian surface.
Bangladesh's preparation was marked by a loss in their only warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI by an innings and 38 runs. Shanto emphasised the importance of Das's consistency, telling reporters that the wicketkeeper-batter gives the team valuable batting depth.
