Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto wants his team to tour Australia more regularly after ending the two Test series 1-1.
Bangladesh suffered an innings and 51 run defeat in Mackay inside two days. They were bowled out for 46 and 95.
However, Shanto said the result should not take away from their historic nine wicket win in Darwin. It was Bangladesh’s first Test victory in Australia.
“It’s disappointing, to be very honest. But no excuses. We didn’t bat well,” Shanto said after the match.
He felt Bangladesh’s batting remained the main area for improvement. In contrast, he was pleased with the fast bowlers.
Shanto said the pace attack has improved greatly in recent years. Hasan Mahmud impressed in Darwin before Shoriful Islam produced a strong performance in Mackay.
“The one thing we need to improve as a batting unit in any condition is how we can score big runs because the bowlers are doing a great job,” he said.
Shanto also defended Litton Das after the batter suffered three straight ducks in the series. He backed Litton to return strongly in the next series.
The Bangladesh captain also questioned the Mackay surface after 18 wickets fell on the opening day.
“Normally, when we play in the subcontinent, if 18 or 19 wickets fall in a day, there is a lot of talk,” Shanto said.
Bangladesh also rose to sixth in the Test rankings for the first time after the series.
Shanto was unaware of the news until a reporter told him after the match.
“Rising to number six for the first time in Test cricket is a very big achievement,” he said.
Shanto now hopes Bangladesh will not have to wait another 23 years for a Test tour of Australia.
“My request is that we want to play here consistently, not every 23 or 25 years,” he said.
Despite the heavy defeat in Mackay, Shanto believes the series should be remembered with pride.
“Have you forgotten the first Test? I haven’t forgotten,” he said. “It’s a huge achievement.”
He also revealed that he has much bigger hopes for Bangladesh in Test cricket, although he chose to keep the exact target private.
“But there is a very big dream,” Shanto said.
