Tigers to field first

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto lost the toss, and the Tigers were asked to field first in the opening Test of the two-match series against Australia at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday.

This will be Bangladesh’s first Test on Australian soil in 23 years. The Tigers played their first Test series in Australia in 2003, when they were just three years into their Test journey, and lost both matches by an innings in Darwin and Cairns.

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Bangladesh have gone with three pacers and two spinners, with Taskin Ahmed leading the pace attack alongside Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam make up the spin department.

At the top of the order, Tanzid Hasan and Shadman Islam will open, with experienced campaigner Mominul Haque coming in at three. Shanto will bat at four and will be key if the Tigers are to stand a chance against an Australian side currently sitting atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.

Since January 2025, Shanto has scored the most Test runs for Bangladesh, closely followed by veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who will play a Test in Australia for the first time in his 21-year international career.

Litton Das, who raced against time to make a remarkable recovery, has also made the XI and will bat at six and keep wickets. Litton was not included in the initial squad but recovered swiftly and joined the team in Darwin. He missed the practice match but passed his fitness test to feature in the opening Test.

Miraz is the last recognised batter before the tail begins.

Bangladesh will have to play out of their skin if they are to make this trip Down Under memorable. Their only tour match offered little encouragement though, as the Tigers suffered an innings-and-38-run defeat to a Cricket Australia XI. They were bowled out for just 54 in the second innings, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s unbeaten century the lone bright spot. Both the batting and bowling departments raised concerns ahead of the opening Test.

For Australia, there is no surprises as they named their XI way before the start of the match. Two left-handers will open, with destructive Travis Head partnering the more vigilant Jake Weatherald. Marnus Labuschagne retains his position at three, followed by Steven Smith at four, Cameron Green, Alex Carey and Beau Webster before the bowlers come in.

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood lead one of the most daunting attacks in red-ball cricket, with Green and Webster offering additional seam options. Nathan Lyon will shoulder the sole spin responsibilities.

Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud

Australia XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood