Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has urged international cricket authorities to schedule regular bilateral tours to Australia following his side’s defeat in the second Test at Mackay. The Tigers suffered an inning-and-51-run loss against the hosts, concluding a two-Match Test series that marked Bangladesh’s return to Australian soil for the first time in 23 years.
The national side last toured Australia for a Test series in 2003. After more than two decades, Bangladesh returned to face the Australian national team in 2026. While the team produced a competitive performance during the opening Test in Darwin, they succumbed to heavy opposition pressure in the second Test in Mackay, where the Australian bowling attack exploited local conditions to secure a decisive victory.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Shanto emphasised the importance of recurring exposure to challenging overseas environments. He noted that players need regular opportunities in fast, bouncy conditions to bridge the gap in international experience and refine technical skills.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by the batting order throughout the tour, Shanto acknowledged the difficulty of adapting quickly to alien conditions. He highlighted the extra bounce off the pitch and lateral movement through the air as primary factors that tested every batter in the lineup.
Despite the heavy defeat, the captain remained pragmatic about the long-term benefits of the tour. He stated that confronting such rigorous conditions is necessary for Bangladesh to progress as a competitive Test-playing nation, adding that the hard-earned lessons from Darwin and Mackay will serve the squad well in future international assignments. Shanto expressed hope that future scheduling will not require another multi-decade wait before Bangladesh returns for another bilateral Test series in Australia.
