Bangladesh's Bold Test Squad for Australia: Can They Break the Drought?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-27

Bangladesh has finally named its squad for the opening Test against Australia, and it's a trip that's been a long time coming. The match kicks off on August 13 in Darwin, marking Bangladesh's first Test tour to Australia since 2003. That's over two decades without a five-day game Down Under. And this isn't just any series — every match carries full points in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. So the stakes are sky-high. ### A Veteran Returns: Soumya Sarkar Back in the Fold One of the biggest talking points is the return of Soumya Sarkar. He's been out of the Test squad for nearly five years. His last Test appearance was way back in 2021, and he only has 16 Test caps to his name. But the selectors clearly see value in his experience. He'll be walking into a tough away assignment, where pace and bounce have broken many visiting batters before him. ### The Squad: A Mix of Old Heads and New Faces Around Sarkar, the batting lineup looks solid. Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, and Shadman Islam all keep their places. That gives captain Najmul Hossain Shanto a middle order with real Test mileage. You've also got Tanzid Hasan, Amite Hasan, and Jaker Ali Anik filling out the remaining slots. And then there's Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who takes on the vice-captaincy while juggling both bat and ball. Injuries have hit the pace attack hard. Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury make up the seam options. Uncapped quick Musfik Hasan gets his first national selection — a real test by fire. Spin duties fall to Miraz and Taijul Islam, two bowlers who've carried Bangladesh's attack through several series already. ### WTC Standings Add Extra Pressure Where each team sits in the World Test Championship table makes this series even more intense. Australia leads the standings with a point percentage of 87.5. They already won the inaugural title back in 2023. Bangladesh sits fourth at 58.33 percent. A solid result here would push them up the table at a critical point in the cycle. Australia has locked in a strong squad of its own. So it's a clash between a settled home unit and a Bangladesh side hoping to find early momentum. Conditions in Australia rarely go easy on visiting batters. Pace and bounce have troubled touring teams for decades, and Bangladesh's attack will need to find answers fast. ### Key Players to Watch - **Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain):** Leading from the front, he needs to anchor the innings. - **Soumya Sarkar:** His comeback is a wildcard — can he rediscover his form? - **Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain):** The dual threat with bat and ball could be crucial. - **Musfik Hasan:** The uncapped quick has a point to prove. ### The Series Schedule: Two Tests, Two Venues The series runs across just two matches. Darwin hosts the first from August 13 to 17. Then the action shifts to Mackay for the second Test, from August 22 to 26. Two different venues, two different challenges. Bangladesh will need depth across both to stay competitive. ### Final Thoughts Points are on the table, and the setting is unfamiliar. Shanto's squad has to turn its depth on paper into performance on the field. The series opener in Darwin next month will tell us a lot about where this team really stands. > "Bangladesh's last Test in Australia was in 2003. This squad has a chance to rewrite history." For more cricket news and updates, you can follow trusted sources like the ICC's official website or ESPNcricinfo. But keep an eye on this series — it could be a turning point for Bangladesh cricket.