Experienced spinner Taijul Islam expressed his satisfaction over the side’s early progress despite an injury-hit squad as Bangladesh kicked off their preparations for the two-Test series against Australia with their first training session in Darwin today.
The session featured fitness drills alongside batting, bowling, fielding and running exercises as the visitors geared up for their first Test on Australian soil in 23 years.
Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, who had travelled to Australia ahead of the rest of the squad to consult a specialist over long-standing ankle and shoulder injuries, has joined the team.
The video footage sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) showed Taskin participating in training after arriving in Perth earlier for medical assessment.
"The journey was good because we had a transit on the way and got enough rest there," Taijul said in a video message released by the BCB.
The left-arm spinner said they had started their preparations on a positive note.
"Overall, the preparation was good. On the first day we were able to complete all kinds of activities, including bowling, batting practice, fielding drills and running," he added.
Bangladesh will continue training in Darwin until August 5 before taking on a Cricket Australia XI in a three-day warm-up match.
The team will then have two additional practice days ahead of the opening Test, which begins in Darwin on August 13. The second Test is scheduled from August 22 at Mackay.
The tourists have been hampered by injuries ahead of the series. Pace bowler Nahid Rana has been ruled out of both Tests, while Liton Das has been included in the squad for the first Test after making encouraging progress in his rehabilitation.
Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam remains unavailable for the series opener but could return before the second Test.
Bangladesh have played six Tests against Australia, winning once and losing the other five. Their only victory came in Mirpur in 2017, while three of their defeats were by an innings.
