Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has ‘full confidence’ in his team, despite its strength dipping due to multiple injuries, as Bangladesh head to Australia for a two-match Test series.

Bangladesh will miss the service of pace sensation Nahid Rana for the entire series, while Litton Das and Shoriful Islam are ruled out of the first Test.

‘Injuries aren’t something we can control. Any player can be injured at any point. However, I have full confidence in our team travelling to Australia that we can play good cricket,’ Shanto told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.

‘It would not be fair to think that if someone’s here, it would have been better. I think it’s important how much good cricket we can play and how much confidence we can put in our team. I’ve got full confidence,’ he said.

This will be Bangladesh’s first tour to Australia for a Test series since 2003. Now Shanto wants to put on a performance that will not only earn them respect but also earn future invitations.

‘I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to play Test cricket against Australia in Australia. Over the past 23 years, we should have played more Test matches against them. Had we performed better consistently, perhaps we would have earned more opportunities,’ he said.

‘Our primary goal is to play good cricket there and earn respect. If we can be competitive, I’m sure they will be more willing to invite us again in the future. We approach every match with the intention of winning, but just as importantly, we want to make Australia work hard for every result,’ he added.

In order to do that, it’s paramount to take 20 wickets. Despite not having two front-line pace bowlers, Shanto remains confident about doing that.

He said, ‘In Australian conditions, the expectation is always to take 20 wickets. We also have two experienced spinners in the squad who can complement the pace attack.

‘The fast bowlers we have are capable, and apart from Mushfik [Hasan], all of them are experienced and have been playing at this level for many years. If they can bowl to their full potential, I believe taking 20 wickets is definitely achievable,’ he added.

Bangladesh will leave for Australia on Thursday night. Before the first Test they will play a three-day warm-up game starting on August 6 in Darwin.