Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has been declared fully fit for the opening Test against Australia in Darwin. Litton had been recovering from a calf injury and initially faced doubts over his availability for the series opener. However, he completed batting and wicketkeeping drills at Marrara Stadium without any issues. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto confirmed that Litton is now fit to play. The first Test begins on Thursday, August 13. It will be Bangladesh’s first Test in Australia since 2003. The Bangladesh wicketkeeper is expected to bat in the middle order, potentially at No. 5 or No. 6.

The Bangladesh player's return is a major boost for Bangladesh before a challenging series. He has been one of the country’s most productive batters in recent years. Bangladesh were recently bowled out for just 54 during their warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI. Shanto, however, played down concerns over that performance. He described it as a “bad day” and insisted the team was prepared for the challenge. Australia will enter the Test with a strong bowling attack featuring Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. Bangladesh will need their experienced batters to withstand that attack. The skipper’s presence also strengthens their wicketkeeping department. His availability gives Bangladesh greater stability before the series opener in Darwin.

“We have been talking about the bounce a lot”: Najmul Hossain Shanto highlights Australia challenge ahead of Darwin Test

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has identified Australia’s extra bounce as a major challenge ahead of the first Test in Darwin. Bangladesh will face Australia at Marrara Stadium from August 13. The series marks their first Test tour of Australia since 2003. Shanto believes his team has prepared specifically for the conditions. “We have been talking about the bounce a lot,” Shanto said. He added that Bangladesh’s batters have worked on handling deliveries that rise sharply from the surface.

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Bangladesh enter the Test after a difficult warm-up against a Cricket Australia XI. They were bowled out for only 54 in their second innings. However, Shanto refused to read too much into that collapse. He described the performance as a “bad day” and backed his players to respond strongly. “We are confident that we can play good cricket,” he said. Shanto also stressed the importance of taking the match session by session. Bangladesh have never won a Test in Australia, making the series a significant challenge for the team. Australia will rely on their experienced bowling attack, while Bangladesh will look towards players such as Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim for stability. Litton has now been cleared to play after recovering from a calf injury.