DHAKA, Aug 12, 2026 (BSS)- Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto pinned 
hopes on his team's pace attack despite the absence of fast bowler Nahid Rana 
through injury ahead of the first Test against Australia.

Nahid's absence is a setback for Bangladesh, particularly with a grassy 
Darwin pitch expected to offer pace and bounce. Shanto admitted the young 
pace sensation will be missed but said the team must focus on the players 
available.

"It is very unfortunate that Nahid Rana is not here," Shanto told reporters 
at the pre-match press conference in Darwin today. "But it is not worth 
thinking about ifs and buts."

Bangladesh will rely heavily on Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud to exploit the 
conditions. Shanto said he believes the pair can make effective use of the 
pace-friendly surface.

"The pace unit that we have here, I believe they will also be able to use 
these conditions well," he said.

The Bangladesh captain expects the drop-in wicket at Darwin to assist both 
batters and bowlers, although he believes the pacers could enjoy a slight 
advantage.

"I think there is definitely grass on the wicket, but I think the wicket will 
be good," Shanto said. "There will be help for both bowling and batting here. 
But I think the bowlers might get a little more benefit."

Bangladesh have limited experience playing on drop-in pitches, but Shanto 
said adapting to unfamiliar conditions is part of the challenge of 
professional cricket.
 
"We have not had the opportunity to play on a drop-in wicket before, so I do 
not know what will happen," he said. "As professional cricketers, we have to 
adapt to these challenges. We have prepared and hopefully we can adapt to the 
conditions here."

Shanto expects Bangladesh's batters to face a stern test from Australia's 
pace attack, but he also believes his bowlers can pose problems for the 
hosts.

"Of course, batting will be more challenging," he said. "But we all know that 
their batting lineup is also strong, so there will be challenges in bowling 
too."

Shanto pointed to Bangladesh's recent performances with the ball and 
highlighted Hasan Mahmud's experience in county cricket as reasons for his 
confidence.

"Our bowling unit has been doing very well for the last few years," he said. 
"There is Taskin, there is Hasan who played county cricket a few months ago 
and did well. So I am quite confident about the bowling. They will be able to 
adapt to the conditions here and challenge Australia."