DHAKA, Aug 11, 2026 (BSS)- Bangladesh fielding coach Ashiqur Rahman Majumdar 
said the players are preparing both mentally and physically as they get ready 
to face Australia in a two-match Test series.

Bangladesh will take on the hosts in the first Test next Thursday, with the 
team currently in Australia preparing for the challenging series.

Ashiq said the players have been improving steadily and working hard on their 
fielding, particularly in areas that are crucial in the longer format.

"Day by day, the players are improving, they are working hard. Especially 
since it is a longer version of cricket, there is more catching practice like 
slip catch, high catch, deep fine leg, deep square leg.

Alhamdulillah, they are doing very well," Ashiq said in a video message sent 
by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today.

The fielding coach said the team benefited from a practice match and that the 
players adapted well to the conditions.

"It was very good to play a practice match. Everyone fielded well in the 
practice match. They took good catches. The condition is in our minds. The 
faster we can adapt anywhere in the world, the better," he said.

"We have been here a long time. The players are trying to adapt. A lot has 
been done already. We have taken adequate preparation."

With Test cricket demanding sustained concentration over five days, Ashiq 
believes the players are mentally prepared for the challenge.
 
"Alhamdulillah, our players are mentally ready. Cricket is a game of bat and 
ball. We are preparing both mentally and physically," he said.

Ashiq also stressed the importance of converting half-chances into 
dismissals, particularly in Test cricket where opportunities can be few and 
far between.

"The biggest thing in using half chances in fielding is to maintain 
concentration. In the longer version, you will see that the ball does not 
come for a long time, but suddenly one comes and you have to catch that one," 
he said.

"Especially in the longer version of cricket, the main goal is to turn half 
chances into full chances. We are working on how to keep up the 
concentration," he added.