'I'm always ready': Shoriful eyes Mackay return for series win

Shoriful Islam may have missed Bangladesh's historic Test victory over Australia in Darwin, but the left-arm pacer made sure he was there to celebrate it with his teammates.

Ruled out of the first Test with a hamstring injury, Shoriful travelled to Darwin after being declared fit for the second Test and watched Bangladesh complete a memorable nine-wicket victory, their first Test win on Australian soil. 

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Now with the team in Mackay, where Bangladesh arrived yesterday after a long journey from Darwin, Shoriful is hoping to make his return to the playing XI as the Tigers look to seal a historic series win.

"I’m very happy to have been part of such a victory, at least I made it into the pictures (laughs), even though I wasn't in the squad. It feels really good," Shoriful told reporters at the team hotel in Mackay on Wednesday.

The pacer had been forced to sit out after picking up the injury during Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe, but his recovery has gone well enough for the Bangladesh Cricket Board to clear him for the second Test. 

"I always prayed for the players who were playing, that they would give their best and that we would win. When we won the match, I was happier than anyone else in Bangladesh. I think you were also very happy. You got to witness such a big victory.”

Bangladesh's pace attack produced the foundation for the Darwin triumph, with Hasan Mahmud claiming nine wickets and all 10 Australian wickets in the first innings falling to seamers. 

Shoriful, who has been part of Bangladesh's emerging pace group, now wants to be part of another piece of history in Mackay.

“I am always ready. Let's see what is in my destiny, InshaAllah, and hopefully I can play the match.”

The second Test, at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, will begin on Saturday, with Australia needing victory to level the two-match series and Bangladesh requiring only a draw to secure their first Test series win over Australia.