2-0 a confident statement: Smith

Since Jason Gillespie scored a double century as the nightwatchman against Bangladesh back in April 2006, Australia have won only two Tests in the sub-continent.

This statistic, along with their recent performances in the longest format of the game, will probably help Bangladesh immensely as they are now able to capitalise on any opponent's weaknesses, even Australia's.

From the Tigers' head coach Chandika Hathurusingha to Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, almost no one hesitated to predict that the result of the two-match series would go 2-0 in their favour.

Perhaps the 2-0 prediction irked the Aussie camp as captain Steven Smith seemed surprised by the forecast and said that it was a 'confident' statement to make'.

"It's pretty confident. Isn't it? I think Bangladesh have won only nine out of their 100 games. So it's a very confident prediction. But obviously they are confident about their skill set at the moment. They are at home. Most teams play pretty well at home. Bangladesh have been playing well at home. So it's going be a good challenge for us. The comment surprised me a little bit, yes," said Smith ahead of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

The visitors may have been in a better state of mind had the tour match not been cancelled. However, Smith remains confident about their preparations and informed that his side are ready to go.

"I think it's going be a great series. It's a great challenge for my group of players to see what we have learned from India. Looking at the wicket, I think it's going to be somewhat similar to what we got in India. Hopefully we can learn from what we did there and no doubt it is going to be an exciting series," Smith opined.

Bangladesh generally enjoy keeping the playing eleven a mystery until the game begins while on the other hand, Smith has already announced his squad for the first Test which includes spinners Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar.

The 28-year-old also had a look at the wicket and said that it tends to be low and slow. In addition, Smith chalked out Shakib and Mustafizur Rahman as big threats.

"Shakib, the way he bowls suits this condition very well. Mustafizur obviously, we will be looking intothe way he bowls the slower balls. We are going to have to play well if we want to score big," Smith added.

Furthermore, the cricketer from New South Wales praised Shakib and Tamim Iqbal, who will both be playing their 50th Test, and informed that they will look to keep these two at bay throughout the series.