Mushfiqur Rahim is set to play his first Test match in Australia when Bangladesh take the field in Darwin tomorrow for his 104th Test. The 39-year-old batter is 194 runs short of 7,000 Test runs, making the two-match series against Australia a potentially historic and emotional stage in his long career. He will need a substantial early contribution in the series to reach the milestone.

The report says several prominent players from a generation of Bangladesh cricketers, including Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, did not get the opportunity to play Tests in Australia. Rahim now has the chance to complete that missing part of his career, though Australia’s strong pace attack presents a difficult challenge. Bangladesh will also play a Test on a drop-in pitch for the first time in Darwin.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said Bangladesh are prepared to adapt to the unfamiliar conditions after good preparation. He said the grass-covered surface should offer assistance to both batters and bowlers, with bowlers possibly receiving slightly more help. Bangladesh were bowled out for 54 and lost by an innings in a practice match against a Cricket Australia XI, but Shanto said he was not placing importance on that result. Bangladesh have won one of six Tests against Australia.