Bangladesh's Star Pacer Ruled Out Of Australia Test Series, Litton Das Doubtful

Litton Das might not play in Test matches vs Australia [Source: AFP]

Bangladesh in recent times has done well in Test cricket, and recently they defeated Pakistan in a two-match series. However, their biggest red-ball challenge is yet to come as the Tigers will take on Australia in a two-game series that commences on August 13 in Darwin.

Australian conditions demand teams to have quality fast bowlers, and Bangladesh certainly have that in their arsenal; but just before the tour begins, the Asian side has been rocked by the absence of their key pacer.

Ebadot Hossain set to miss the Australian Test tour

The experienced Bangladesh bowler, Ebadot Hossain, will not be a part of the team for the two-match Test series in Australia, and his absence could prove to be costly for the Asian side looking to improve their position in the WTC points table.

It is to be noted that Ebadot is not nursing an injury, but he is set to stay back in Bangladesh for the birth of his first child. The Bangladesh pacer could have used his height to advantage on Australian soil, but now, the Tigers have to pick a team without him.

Interestingly, Ebadot is not the only player who is giving nightmares to the Bangladesh selectors ahead of the Australian tour.

Nahid Rana, Litton Das doubtful for Australia series

Not only Ebadot Hossain, but Bangladesh could be without their main fast bowler, Nahid Rana. The pacer has wreaked havoc in the ODI format, but the right-arm bowler recently sustained an injury, and the Bangladesh team management is still awaiting the result of his scans.

Apart from Nahid, there is also doubt regarding Litton Das’ participation in the Australia Test series. The right-handed batter suffered an injury, but the Bangladesh team is hopeful that the batter can shake off the injury to play in the all-important Test series.

Some positive news for Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed ready for Australia Tests

While Ebadot will miss the Australia Tests, and Nahid Rana is still doubtful, Bangladesh have been given a Taskin Ahmed boost as the pacer is ready for the two-match Test series. Taskin withdrew his name from the Lankan Premier League to prepare himself for the Test tour Down Under.

Recently the pacer revealed that he left the LPL to get himself ready for the all-important Australia series.

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“Yeah it is mainly for preparation (for the Australia tour)," Taskin told The Daily Sun.

"We played six back-to-back matches in Zimbabwe, maybe I would have got four matches there (in LPL), after my stint there if I return home and immediately go to Australia my Test match preparation would be hampered, despite a little loss I thought it’s OK.

The importance of Australia Tests for Bangladesh team

For the first time since 2003, the Bangladesh side will tour Australia for a Test series. This would mark the first time that the current batch of players will play in Australia, and thus, it brings a different challenge for them.

While the Australian team tops the current WTC points table, Bangladesh sits in fourth position, and the two-match Test series provides them a chance to improve on their WTC position.

A series loss against Australia could dent Bangladesh’s position in the WTC final race, and the Tigers will aim to avoid that on their first tour Down Under since 2003.

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