Shanto keeps Bangladesh playing XI under wraps ahead of first Test against Australia

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto confirmed that Litton Das would take his place in the first Test against Australia but declined to reveal the full playing XI ahead of the match at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. Shanto indicated that the final composition of the attack would be decided on match morning after a further inspection of the pitch.

Das was declared fit following nets and keeping drills at the venue on Wednesday, August 12. The wicketkeeper-batter is expected to bat at number 5 or 6 in the order. Shanto addressed the media after Bangladesh's preparation sessions, outlining the team's thinking on the surface and likely bowling combinations.

"The surface looks good; I think we might stick with our normal combination, like two spinners and three seamers. But looking at the conditions, tomorrow we'll have a chance to see it again, and then we'll decide tomorrow according to the conditions," Shanto said at the pre-match press conference.

Shanto's likely bowling combination

Taijul Islam, Bangladesh's all-time leading wicket-taker, is expected to feature in the XI alongside Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the two spinners. The experienced left-arm spinner returned to bowling practice across consecutive days in the nets after a bruised finger had prevented him from bowling during the warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI.

Ebadot Hossain's return and squad depth

Taskin Ahmed will lead the pace attack, with two additional seamers to be selected from Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed and Musfik Hasan. Ebadot cut short paternity leave in Venice, Italy, in late July after injuries to Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam created gaps in the fast-bowling contingent.

"Ebadot, he's been outstanding before he got injured, and he's coming back. He's been bowling well. If he gets the chance to play tomorrow, he will do something special for the team," Shanto said.

For the unversed, Shoriful Islam, who claimed six wickets in the third ODI against Australia in June, did not make the initial touring party after sustaining a hamstring injury in Zimbabwe last month. However, he has since been cleared to join the squad in Mackay ahead of the second Test, scheduled for August 22-26 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Bangladesh squad for the first Test

Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, and Musfik Hasan