Bangladesh’s cricket team has departed for Australia to play a two-Test series, marking its first Test tour of the country in 23 years. The first group of 17 members left Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a 11:55pm flight on Friday night. The opening Test is scheduled to begin in Darwin on August 13, followed by the second and final Test in Mackay on August 22.

The initial travelling group includes Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim and all-rounder Amit Hasan. Head coach Phil Simmons, spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, batting coach Mohammad Ashraful, the bowling coach and several support staff members also travelled with the first contingent.

The remaining cricketers and team-management members are due to join the squad on a separate flight on August 2. Once the full party assembles in Australia, Bangladesh will begin preparations for the series, including several days of training and a warm-up match to adapt to local conditions. Bangladesh last played a Test series in Australia in 2003 and will seek to demonstrate its ability away from home.