“My request is that we want to play here consistently, not every 23 or 25 years.”
Najmul Hossain Shanto left Mackay with a heavy defeat to digest, but also with a message for Australian cricket. Give Bangladesh more chances here.
Australia crushed Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs inside two days in the second Test at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday. Mitchell Starc finished with 10 wickets in the match as Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 and 95. The win helped Australia level the two Test series 1-1 after Bangladesh’s historic nine wicket victory in Darwin.
For Shanto, however, Mackay should not be allowed to define the tour.
Shanto wants more chances in Australia
Bangladesh had waited 23 years to play Test cricket in Australia again. Most of the players had never experienced these conditions before. Shanto believes they need to face this challenge more often if they are to improve.
“If we are able to come consistently, then the players will have their ideas and experience, and they can adjust to these kinds of conditions and play good cricket,” Shanto said.
The difference between Darwin and Mackay showed exactly why.
Bangladesh were outstanding in the first Test. They beat Australia by nine wickets and recorded their first Test victory on Australian soil. Mackay brought a completely different challenge.
Starc’s storm, Shoriful’s response
Australia won the toss and sent Bangladesh in. Starc then ripped through the batting order with 6 for 12. Bangladesh were gone for 64.
Shoriful Islam gave them hope. Returning to the side, the left arm pacer claimed 7 for 48, the best innings figures by a Bangladesh bowler in an away Test. Australia were dismissed for 210, with Cameron Green’s 67 helping them take a 146 run lead.
But Bangladesh’s batting failed again.
Shanto made 31 and Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 29, but Bangladesh managed only 95. Starc completed match figures of 10 for 51 as Australia wrapped up the match shortly after tea on the second day.
Shanto accepted responsibility for the batting failure.
“It’s disappointing, to be very honest. But no excuses, we didn’t bat well,” he said.
He also admitted he should have done more after getting set in the second innings. But he felt the surface had made batting difficult for both teams.
Questions raised over Mackay pitch
Eighteen wickets fell on the opening day. Australia themselves slipped to 165 for eight before Green and the lower order stretched their total to 210.
Shanto pointed to how pitches are discussed when similar collapses happen in Asia.
“Normally, when we play in the subcontinent, if 18 or 19 wickets fall in a day, there is a lot of talk,” he said. “So, 18 wickets fell on the first day here. Everyone needs to understand this as well.”
Shanto did not put the defeat entirely on the conditions. He admitted Bangladesh played some poor shots and said the batting unit must learn quickly.
Litton backed after three ducks
One of the biggest concerns was Litton Das. Litton suffered three ducks in three innings during the series. Starc dismissed him on all three occasions.
Yet Shanto strongly backed the experienced batter. “I’m not looking at these three ducks in that way at all,” he said.
“We know his quality, and we all know how his batting impacts the Bangladesh team in Test matches. I hope he will make a strong comeback in the next series.”
Cummins pleased with Australia’s answer
While Bangladesh were left searching for answers, Australia had produced exactly the response their captain wanted.
The nine wicket defeat in Darwin had put Cummins and his team under pressure. In Mackay, they took control almost immediately.
“We needed to bounce back and it was a great couple of days from the lads,” Cummins said.
“I thought everyone was really sharp. You know, it’s a bit like the opposite of last week.” Cummins felt Australia’s opening burst had decided the direction of the Test.
“If we get a really good first hour or two, we can set up the rest of the match,” he said.
Green also played a major role in Australia’s response. He followed his century in Darwin with 67 in Mackay, holding together an innings that was repeatedly damaged by Shoriful.
“He looked in total command of his batting this whole series,” Cummins said.
Darwin still matters to the Tigers
The final result was brutal for Bangladesh. But Shanto was not prepared to let one bad Test erase what happened a week earlier.
“Have you forgotten the first Test? I haven’t forgotten,” he said.
“It’s a huge achievement.”
In fact, Australia’s powerful response appeared to make the Darwin result mean even more to the Bangladesh captain. Mackay showed how difficult Australia can be to handle at home. Bangladesh had managed to beat that same team only days earlier. The series therefore ended with two contrasting pictures.
