Captain Litton Das remained uncertain as Bangladesh look to carry their ODI series success into the three-match T20I series over Australia starting at the Bir Shreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, today.
Having sustained an injury during the last ODI, Litton was forced to retire hurt. Bangladesh added Soumya Sarkar to the squad as a backup, as opener Parvez Hossain was also carrying an illness.
‘I am better than before. But I will observe today and tomorrow before deciding,’ Litton told reporters on Tuesday.
Apart from that, Bangladesh will be boosted by their frontline pace attack, as Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana were all rested from the three-match series against New Zealand, which Bangladesh drew 1-1.
‘It’s good to have a strong pace attack. Because you can play anyone in the best eleven. This is a healthy competition. At the same time, it’s fantastic that the bench of Bangladesh is getting stronger,’ said Litton.
On the other hand, Australia will be without some key players. Travis Head was granted personal leave while Cameron Green was rested, alongside the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
The likes of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are also missing as Australia look focus in the future after their dismal T20 World Cup show, where they crashed out in the group stage.
However, the regular captain Mitchell Marsh, who was supposed to lead the side in the ODI series, will return to boost the side.
Australia called up the uncapped duo of Indian-born legspinner Nikhil Chaudhury and left-arm spinner Joel Davies, while the likes of Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly would be hoping to take part.
‘We’ve got a big change in personnel. The guys are really looking forward to this series. No doubt it’s been a tough tour, but we’re going in with high hopes to hopefully win this series and play some really good cricket,’ Marsh told the reporters.
Litton mentioned that the ODI series win against Australia would give them confidence but also reminded everyone that they would have to play good cricket.
‘Not only have we won the series, but also we have played some good cricket throughout the three matches. When you play good cricket against a good team, it’s a plus point,’ said Litton.
‘The format obviously is different; our team is different, and their team is also different. However, it’s a good thing that most of our guys have played in the ODI series.
‘So we have got that confidence. But on the given day, you will have to play good cricket,’ he added.
