Darwin, 12 August 2026:
Bangladesh received a fitness boost ahead of its two-Test series against Australia, with wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das cleared to play in the opening match and left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam set to join the squad ahead of the second Test.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board said Wednesday that Litton has been declared fit and will be available for the first Test, which begins Thursday at Marrara Stadium in Darwin.
The opening Test will be played from Aug. 13-17, with play scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time each day. The second Test will be held from Aug. 22-26 at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, also starting at 10 a.m.
Litton’s return strengthens Bangladesh’s batting lineup for the series opener. The 31-year-old has played 54 Tests, scoring 3,356 runs in 94 innings at an average of 36.47. He has six centuries and 20 half-centuries, with a highest score of 141.
Bangladesh also received positive news on Shoriful, who successfully passed a fitness test and has been cleared to return to international action.
The BCB said Shoriful will fly to Australia on Wednesday night and join the Test squad as it prepares for the second match in Mackay.
The left-arm pacer has taken 27 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 36.03. His best bowling figures in an innings are 3-28, while his best match figures are 5-56. His addition will give Bangladesh another pace option for the second Test.
Meanwhile, Jaker Ali Anik and Musfik Hasan, who are currently with the Bangladesh squad in Australia, will return home.
The BCB said both players will begin preparations for Bangladesh A’s upcoming tour of South Africa.
Bangladesh will therefore have Litton available immediately for the Darwin Test, while Shoriful is expected to bolster the squad before the teams travel to Mackay for the second and final match of the series.
