Darwin to host first Test as Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed eyes Australian challenge
Bangladesh prepares for Australia Test series
Bangladesh is set to face Australia in a crucial ICC World Test Championship series, with the first Test scheduled from August 13-17 at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. Pacer Taskin Ahmed expressed his excitement about playing against Australia’s fast bowlers, whom he has admired since childhood. He mentioned watching players like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, and hopes for an opportunity to interact with them.
Taskin, at 31 years old, has not yet played a Test match in Australia but has taken 14 wickets in nine limited-overs matches (ODIs and T20Is) for Bangladesh in the country. This includes six of his nine wickets during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2015, which was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The upcoming series follows Bangladesh’s recent 2-1 ODI series victory against Australia at home, a triumph that Taskin believes provides a significant confidence boost for the visitors. He noted that the home series featured “sporting conditions” rather than the traditionally slow and turning wickets in Mirpur, contributing to their success.
Squads and key players
The Australia squad for the series includes Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster. This marks Australia’s return to Test cricket after more than six months, with captain Cummins and experienced bowlers Hazlewood and Lyon rejoining the squad.
Bangladesh’s squad for the first Test is led by Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain) and includes Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, and Musfik Hasan.
Bangladesh has faced some injury setbacks ahead of the series, with fast bowler Nahid Rana sidelined due to a side injury and left-arm quick Shoriful Islam out with a hamstring strain. However, Shoriful might be fit for the second Test. Soumya Sarkar, an opener, has been recalled to the squad after not playing Test cricket since 2021, aiming to provide experience at the top of the batting order. Litton Das was also a late addition, bringing experience to the middle order.
Josh Hazlewood is a key player for Australia, nearing 300 Test wickets. For Bangladesh, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to play a crucial role, having recently scored a century against the CA XI in a warm-up match. He has also taken 55 Test wickets in the past two years, second only to Taijul Islam for Bangladesh.
Series schedule and WTC standings
The ICC World Test Championship series will feature two matches. The first Test is scheduled from August 13-17 at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, with play starting at 10am local time. The second Test will take place from August 22-26 at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
In the current WTC Standings, Bangladesh is positioned fourth with a 58.33 PCT after four outings. Australia, on the other hand, holds the pole position with an 87.50 PCT, aiming to secure a spot in next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final at The Oval.
The Marrara Stadium in Darwin has a limited history of international cricket, having hosted two Tests in 2003 and 2004. Bangladesh has played in Darwin more than any other touring side, including a three-match ODI series in 2008.
Source: icc-cricket.com
