BANGLADESH ‘UNBEATABLE’ ON HOME GROUND
AN emboldened Bangladesh believes it can underscore its Test cricket credentials by consigning Australia to another subcontinent defeat.
Tigers all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has described Bangladesh as “unbeatable” at home.
And top-order batsman Imrul Kayes has declared the Tigers more than capable of taking on Australia’s best spinner, Nathan Lyon.
Considered easybeats in their early years, the Tigers have improved, highlighted by maiden Test wins over England and Sri Lanka last year. The win in Dhaka over England levelled a twomatch series and showed the danger they will pose on home soil.
Chasing 273 to win, Alastair Cook’s team reached 0-100 before teenage offspin prodigy Mehedi Hasan ripped through the batting.
Bangladesh also claimed a series-levelling win on its tour of Sri Lanka – something Australia couldn’t do during its 3-0 series defeat last year.
Australia was better during its 2-1 series defeat in India earlier this year, but many of its batsmen have struggled or lack experience on turning pitches.
It has not won a subcontinental Test series since beating Sri Lanka 1-0 in 2011.
Kayes conceded Lyon was one of the world’s best spinners, but said Bangladesh would be ready for him.
“We know that wickets in the subcontinent support spinners but, against England, we handled their offspinners, so I think we can do a similar job against Australia,” he said.
Australia goes into Sunday’s first Test in Dhaka with minimal preparation after a waterlogged ground forced a tour match cancellation.