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Australians Were Looking Forward to Facing Rana, Says Shakib
SPORTS DESK
Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan believes Nahid Rana’s injury-enforced absence from the upcoming Test series in Australia is a significant blow not only for Bangladesh but for the hosts as well, revealing that Australian batters were eager to test themselves against the young express pacer.
Rana was ruled out of the two-Test series after sustaining a Grade 2 side strain, denying him the opportunity to showcase his raw pace on Australia’s fast and bouncy tracks.
Speaking to Indian sports media outlet RevSportz, Shakib emphasized that the 22-year-old’s absence would be felt throughout the series.
“I think even the Australians were looking forward to facing Rana in their own conditions. It was a challenge they would have gladly accepted. So, his absence is a huge loss for the series,” Shakib said.
Rise of the Pace Attack & Holistic Development
Shakib also lauded the rapid progress of Bangladesh’s fast-bowling unit, describing it as one of the national team’s biggest strengths in recent years.
“We are doing really well in the pace bowling department, which is a great sign for Bangladesh cricket. But that doesn’t mean we can afford to fall behind in other areas. Batting and spin bowling are equally crucial. It’s great that the pacers are performing well, but if the batters and spinners can also raise their level, Bangladesh will become a much stronger team,” he added.
Full-Strength Australia Driven by World Test Championship
When asked about Australia’s decision to field a full-strength squad against Bangladesh, Shakib expressed little surprise, highlighting the culture of top Test-playing nations and the stakes involved.
“Teams like Australia, England, India, and South Africa take Test cricket very seriously. Regardless of the opposition or venue, they always field their strongest side. So, I wasn’t surprised to see Australia pick their best available squad,” he noted.
He further pointed out that points in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle make every match vital for elite teams.
“Because this series is part of the World Test Championship, Australia doesn’t want to risk losing any valuable points. Besides, their players have had adequate rest, so they are well-positioned to field their strongest XI,” Shakib concluded.
