Bangladesh eyes more Australia Tests to hit next level

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said on Sunday (August 23, 2026) his team had taken a lot of confidence from their two-Test series in Australia and were keen to return as they aim for more consistency.

The visitors stunned the world’s top-ranked side with a nine-wicket win in Darwin last week, their first on Australian soil and one considered their greatest of all time.

But they came crashing back to earth with an innings and 51-run thrashing in the second Test at Mackay on Sunday.

It was their first Test tour of Australia in 23 years and Najmul said they wanted to come back to better understand the conditions, with the pitch in Mackay fast and bouncy.

“I think it was a very proud moment as a team, and we showed our character and discipline in the first Test,” he said.

“But we need to be consistent, and I believe if we are able to get more chances, similar kinds of conditions year after year, it will help us. And that’s what we want.

“It’s a long time, 23 years, since we came here and we played two Test matches, it’s not easy.

“So if we have that ability, that chance to play every single year, it will help us to improve our game.”

With Australian left-armer Mitchell Starc almost unplayable, finding plenty of seam and swing, Bangladesh collapsed in their first innings, all out for just 64.

They fared little better in their second, with Starc again causing problems as they crumbled to 95 on a tricky surface.

“They showed their character, and we didn’t play our best best match,” said Najmul.

“This was different conditions (to Darwin). A little extra bounce and swing in the air. It was challenging for us.

“But as a team if we want to go forward we need to address these conditions and I think this experience will help us moving forward.”