Bangladesh will head into their two-match Test series against Australia without pace bowler Ebadot Hossain, who has been ruled out as he prepares for the birth of his first child. The series, part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, begins in Darwin on August 13, with Bangladesh currently sitting fourth in the standings and looking to close the gap on the competition’s frontrunners.
The team received a boost separately when pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed withdrew from the Lankan Premier League to focus entirely on preparing for the Australia series. Taskin had been signed to play for the Jaffna Kings but chose to skip the tournament, citing the physical toll of a recent tour and the importance of the upcoming Tests.
He explained that after six straight matches in Zimbabwe, returning home briefly before flying to Australia would have disrupted his preparation, so he decided the trade-off wasn’t worth it despite already holding a no-objection certificate to play in the LPL.
Nahid Rana Injury Status Still Unclear
Bangladesh are still waiting on scan results for fast bowler Nahid Rana, who picked up a side injury and has yet to be cleared for the tour. His inclusion in the squad for the first Test remains uncertain until the team management receives further medical updates.
Alongside Rana, batter Litton Das is nursing a calf complaint, and the team management is hopeful he recovers in time to be considered for the opening match. Bangladesh will travel to Australia at the start of August, arriving roughly ten to twelve days before the first Test to allow players recovering from injuries extra time to prove their fitness.
Warm-Up Match to Aid Preparation in Darwin
The tourists will play a three-day warm-up fixture against a Cricket Australia XI in Darwin starting August 3, which will double as a fitness test for several players and a chance to adjust to local conditions ahead of the series opener at the same venue.
Batting coach Mohammad Ashraful said the early arrival gives the squad a real opportunity to settle in, adding that a full squad turning up fit would allow the team to compete at its best. He noted that the extra preparation time in Darwin should help the batting unit find rhythm before the first ball is bowled in the Test.
Batting Group Aims to Bounce Back After Zimbabwe Setback
Bangladesh’s batters struggled in their most recent Test outing against Zimbabwe in Harare, where the side was bowled out for 140 and 185 in a heavy defeat. Ashraful defended the group’s overall form, pointing to a strong run across the previous seven months that included a 2-0 series win over Pakistan in May.
He said one poor match should not overshadow four Tests of solid performances before it, and that the squad has picked up valuable experience playing across different conditions. The coach added that occasional losses are part of playing in varied conditions and should not be treated as a sign of decline.
The first Test between Bangladesh and Australia begins August 13 in Darwin, followed by the second Test in Mackay from August 22 to 26, as both sides look to strengthen their positions in the World Test Championship table.
For more cricket news and updates, follow Mostbet Blog!
