Dhaka: First Test of Rocket Test Series between host Bangladesh and Australia will start from on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

So far Bangladesh and Australia have played 4 Tests against each other. Bangladesh visited Australia for the first time in 2003 and lost both Tests in the series. Last time two teams faced each other in Test was 11 years ago when Australia visited Bangladesh in 2006. Visitors won that series 2-0.

Bangladesh team maintained a good record in both home and away in Test started with 1-1 series drawn against England at home in last year. Earlier of this year, Tigers drew the series against Sri Lanka 1-1 on their soil. Bangladesh will look forward to continue their good run in the Test and trouble Aussies in the series.

Dhaka Test will be a milestone for opener Tamim Iqbal and All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan as they will play their 50th Test. Interestingly it will be their first debut Test against Australia. Including Shakib and Tamim, no player from Bangladesh or Australia squad has played against each other in Test before this series.

Ahead of the first Test, Tigers skipper Mushfiqur Rahim spoke to the media today at SBNCS to express his thoughts on the series. ‘I think it’s a 50-50 series. Condition might help us but at the end of the day you need to do well in batting, bowling and fielding all the three departments. Australia is a top class team and we’re very excited to face them. Recently we had some decent record in Test where we beat England and Sri Lanka. So we’ll look forward to keep that momentum and do well.’

Australia Captain Steven Smith is looking forward to a fighting series. ‘Bangladesh improved a lot in the last few years. So obviously they are confident. I hope it will be a competitive series.’ Later Smith announced Australia playing XI for tomorrow in the press conference.