Shanto urges teammates to focus on 5-day Test battle against Australia

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has urged his teammates to focus on playing quality cricket session by session as they prepare to face Australia in the opening Test of the two-match series in Darwin.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Shanto acknowledged the challenge posed by Australia's strong bowling attack and the conditions, but said his players were determined to compete throughout the match.
"As players, we want to play good cricket for five days. We want to play each session by session, which is what we always say," Shanto said.
Bangladesh suffered an innings defeat against Cricket Australia XI in their three-day warm-up match, raising questions about their readiness for the Test. Shanto, however, said the team was not concerned about outside expectations.
"Each session is important. Will it be four days, five days, or three days-there will be such discussions. But as players, we will always aim to see how well we can play cricket," he said.
Shanto also confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das is fully fit after recovering from injury. Liton did not feature in the warm-up match after joining the squad, but his availability has given Bangladesh additional confidence in their batting.
The Bangladesh captain said individual performances would also be crucial to the team's prospects.
"There is no need to give anyone extra motivation. Everyone knows that a big score here, five wickets, doing well as a team-all these will be very useful for us and for the future of our team," he remarked.
Australia's conditions are expected to test Bangladesh's batters, with the drop-in pitch at Marrara Stadium likely to offer assistance to the pace attack, particularly with the new ball.
Shanto said Bangladesh's batters would need to remain patient while still playing their natural game.
"There are always challenges everywhere with the new ball. Here there might be a little more. As long as we bat here, whoever bats will play their natural game and play for runs," the captain pointed out.
He added that sustained concentration would be vital against Australia's experienced bowling attack.
"It is very important to bat with concentration for a long time. They are a very good bowling attack. To handle this attack properly, we must bat with a lot more concentration and good thinking," Shanto opined.     �"BSS