Shakib believes Bangladesh spin attack is better than Australia's at home

Shakib Al Hasan has immense faith in his fellow Bangladeshi spinners and believes they can outshine their Australian counterparts in the forthcoming Test series.

Offspinner Nathan Lyon, left-arm orthodox spinner Ashton Agar and uncapped leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson form Australia’s three-pronged attack.

Shakib will lead the attack for the Tigers, with the other southpaw Taijul Islam and prodigious offspinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz as his wingmen.

“I think our spin attack is better than theirs. I won’t say that’s the case in all conditions, but in our backyard we are better than them,” Shakib said on Thursday.

“Taijul and Miraz have been bowling well for some time. We truly believe that they’ll produce something superb this series.”

The first Test will begin on Sunday at the Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The wicket will surely play a key role, hence, speculations about its nature are rife. But Shakib wants to focus on their skills and role.

“The wicket is not in our control. The curator may try, but we shouldn’t think too much about it. We have to try to do better than them on any wicket. We have to adjust quickly.

“If it assists the spinners, it’ll be good for me...At the same time, our pacers have the ability to take wickets, they’re skilled. Relying only on the spinners won’t work.”

Shakib, who leads the ICC allrounders rankings for all three formats, believes the Aussie's ability to cope with any conditions makes them a very dangerous team.

“We must do well in all departments to win Tests. We have to bat well and bowl well also. No matter which [Australian] team come, no matter where they play, they are always difficult opponents,” Shakib said.

“They can cope with conditions quickly anywhere in the world; no other team do it better than them. That’s why they are such difficult adversaries.

“They are a bit inexperienced at the moment. They did not do too well in India and Sri Lanka in recent times."

Over the last 10 years, Australia have won only two of the 20 Tests they played in the subcontinent, losing 13 of those while the five other ended in draws.

“It’s actually part of their culture that they can deal with any conditions. It might be tough for them with the rain and the heat, still they’ll adjust, they’ve done it before,” Shakib added.

“We have to play our best cricket to beat them. I don’t think it’ll be very wise to begin the series relying on the conditions or anything else," Shakib added.