\u201cThat wasn\u2019t a great feeling, losing against Cricket Australia (XI) that practice game,\u201d Taskin told reporters at East Point beach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut in cricket, that happens. We are still trying to adjust to the conditions and pitches quickly. So that was a good preparation, but we lost.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut we are still hoping to do well in the main match.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh suffered an innings-and-38-run defeat in the three-day warm-up, collapsing for 54 in just 22 overs as South Australian seamer Campbell Thompson claimed outstanding figures of 8-25.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the heavy defeat, Taskin believes the match provided valuable experience for a Bangladesh side playing in Australia for the first time since 2008. The 31-year-old has also had limited exposure to Australian conditions, having played in the 2015 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Taskin sat out Bangladesh\u2019s optional training session on Monday, instead joining Australia\u2019s Alex Carey and Jake Weatherald for a press opportunity that took the form of a fishing trip. The trio spent close to an hour on the crystal blue waters west of Darwin but returned empty-handed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Meanwhile, Travis Head opted to remain on land as Australia continued preparations for the first Test against Bangladesh of his career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The newly crowned Allan Border Medallist had a short centre-wicket hit against Australia\u2019s fast bowlers at the Marrara cricket complex\u2019s secondary venue before moving to the nets, where he worked under the watchful eye of batting coach Michael Di Venuto.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Head also played down the significance of Bangladesh\u2019s collapse in the warm-up game, saying he would not be reading \u201ca hell of a lot\u201d into the scorecard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played in some pretty poor ones over the years as well, and they\u2019re always a challenge because you\u2019ve got your mind elsewhere,\u201d Head told reporters on Monday morning from the outfield where Bangladesh were skittled.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cNo disrespect to the CA XI team, but there\u2019ll be guys in that Bangladesh team that are only purely worried about Thursday and what they needed to get out of it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey played well in the first innings \u2026 they\u2019d be disappointed in that and what the outcome looks like externally. But I think internally they\u2019d just be worried about Thursday.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh will now turn their attention towards the opening Test, with Taskin once again expected to lead the pace attack after firebrand fast bowler Nahid Rana was ruled out of the series with a side strain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey played well in the first innings \u2026 they\u2019d be disappointed in that and what the outcome looks like externally. But I think internally they\u2019d just be worried about Thursday.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Taskin, however, was confident the issue would not prevent Bangladesh\u2019s all-time leading Test wicket-taker from taking his place in the XI when the series begins on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n