Bangladesh eyes more Australia Tests to hit next level
Bangladesh cricket captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed a desire for more frequent Test series against Australia to improve his team's consistency. Despite a historic win in Darwin, the team struggled in the second Test due to challenging conditions.
Why it matters
This highlights the developmental challenges faced by emerging cricket nations when competing in foreign conditions against top-tier teams.
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.
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