Reasons to look forward to Australia’s Bangladesh tour
Australia’s first Test tour of Bangladesh since 2006
The last time Australia played in Bangladesh soil was in 2006 when Ricky Ponting’s men won the two-Test series 2-0. Bangladesh put up a formidable total of 427 in the first innings of the first Test and then proceeded to bowl Australia out for 269 in the first innings to take a 158-run first-innings lead.
However, Habibul Bashar’s men were bowled out for just 148 in the second innings leaving Australia needing to chase down 306 runs in the second innings. Bangladesh pushed Australia but Ricky Ponting’s unbeaten century saw Australia through but not before they lost seven wickets.
The second Test was marked by Jason Gillespie scoring a double century after being sent in to bat as nightwatchman. Bangladesh lost the Test by an innings and 80 runs.
This time around Australia will be facing a much improved Bangladesh team.
Bangladesh are on the up
Bangladesh sit at ninth place in the ICC Test rankings but at home soil the team is raring to go. Recent Test matches have seen Bangladesh challenge the bigger teams both home and away.
Bangladesh recorded maiden Test victories against England at home and Sri Lanka away. The team would like to build on the momentum over the past year having also secured a semi-final berth in the coveted ICC event – ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Bangladesh Tigers’ fighting spirit shone through when they lost to England by just 22 runs in the first Test only to come back and win the second Test by 108 runs at Dhaka.
In March 2017 they won against Sri Lanka at Colombo by four wickets to draw the Test series 1-1.
Both opener Mominul and coach Chandika Hathuresinghe have talked about Bangladesh going out there to win the Test series against Australia.
Australia’s recent Asia record
The Australians have lost their past four series in the subcontinent, losing 11 of 13 Tests with just one win.
Their last series victory at the subcontinent was in 2011 against Sri Lanka. Tigers have reasons to be excited about the coming ties, provided they keep their heads.
Warner vs Fizz
It is a also a series which will pit two former teammates against each other. Australia’s David Warner and Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman played in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad where Warner captained the young quick known as ‘Fizz’.
Warner has been full of praise for the Bangladesh player and had labeled him ‘A quality talent’ due to his variations and skills during the IPL tournament.
Before leaving for Chittagong to prepare for Australia’s tour Mustafiz posted on twitter: ‘Heading to Chittagong for next seven days training session prior to the Australia series. #Chittagong #PortCity’.
Mustafiz was with Soumya Sarkar and Courtney Walsh, with the legendary West Indian giving a thumbs up sign with a serious look on his face.
Warner replied to Mutafizur's tweet and wrote: ‘Good luck champion see you soon’
He added a few emojis that showed his excitement for the Bangladesh tour. There is camaraderie between the players but when the matches get under way it will be extra motivation for both Mustafiz and Warner to play well against each other.
Fixtures
18 August Australia arrive
22-23 August Tour match,Fatullah
27-31 August First Test, Dhaka
4-8 September Second Test, Chittagong