Australia naming full-strength squad achievement for Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said on Friday that he believes Australia are not taking them lightly in the upcoming two-match series, scheduled in Darwin from August 13.

Australia have named a full-strength squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, something the Bangladesh Test skipper described as an "achievement". The hosts will have an experienced pace attack of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland alongside veteran spinner Nathan Lyon. The batting line-up is anchored by Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, while all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster add further depth.

"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," Shanto told reporters during the Notun Kuri final ceremony at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium when asked about the historic Australia tour.

"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," he said.

Bangladesh have injury concerns ahead of the Australia tour, with in-form wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das yet to recover from the calf injury he sustained in June.

Litton, who travelled to Singapore for a scan on Sunday to get a clearer understanding of the extent of the injury, posted a photo on social media on Friday (July 24), indicating he has not given up hope.

"Yet to heal, but staying positive. Grateful for the medical care and attention in Singapore though. Keep me in your prayers," Litton wrote on his official Facebook page.

Apart from Litton, pacer Nahid Rana suffered a side strain during the second T20I against Zimbabwe earlier this month.

It is understood that the 23-year-old pace sensation, who starred in Bangladesh's recent ODI success against Zimbabwe, is running out of time to recover for the series.

Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam, another contender for the Australia tour, also suffered a hamstring injury during the Zimbabwe series. However, sources indicated he is likely to recover in time to make himself available for the second and final Test.

Many felt Bangladesh could have managed the workload of their fast bowlers better, though Shanto insisted those decisions rested with the medical and team management.

"Those decisions (judging players' workload management and injury issues) are actually taken by the physio, the trainer and the management group, and they are managing it that way. Beyond that, there is not much more to say," Shanto said.

Meanwhile, pacer Ebadot Hossain has opted out of the Australia series to be with his wife and newborn baby. Cricbuzz understands he could cut short his leave and return if Bangladesh are left short of fast bowlers because of injuries.

The series begins with the opening Test in Darwin from August 13-17 before the teams move to Mackay for the second and final Test from August 22-26.

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