Mackay: Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto insisted that no one should be blamed individually for a sensational batting collapse which consigned them to an innings and 51-run defeat to Australia in the second and final Test in Mackay. Bangladesh opened the series with a historic nine-wicket victory in Darwin and came into the match to create more history, but the hosts hit back strongly in the second Test to level the series 1-1.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, even though the Mackay pitch was tough for batting, most of the Bangladesh batters played some irresponsible shots to dig their own graveyards. Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 in the first innings before being rolled over for 95 in the second innings, making it the first time in their history to be all out under 100 twice in a Test. And by doing so, they also became the first team in 21 years to be dismissed twice.
Speaking to the reporters in Mackay, Shanto said the defeat was a valuable lesson for Bangladesh, particularly after the team struggled with the bat on a difficult surface. "We could have batted better in the second innings. Australia also suffered while batting in their first innings. We have to admit that the wicket was tough, but we also played some bad shots," he said. "I don't want to blame anyone individually, we played badly as a team."
The Bangladesh captain also accepted responsibility for his own dismissal after getting set, saying he should have stayed at the crease longer. "It is not acceptable at all, to be honest. I should have stayed on the wicket for a while longer," Shanto said.
Despite the heavy defeat in Mackay, Shanto believes Bangladesh's victory in Darwin should not be underestimated. He said the result demonstrated the progress the Test side has made in recent years. "I don't think anyone will forget what we did in Darwin. But it is also true that we did not play good cricket in this Test," he said.
"The way Australia played in Mackay shows what kind of team we really beat in Darwin. They decided to bowl first at home, which I have heard they don't usually do. This comeback by Australia proves how much of a challenge we gave them."
Bangladesh's victory in Darwin came less than five years after their memorable eight-wicket win over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in January 2022. Shanto said those two away victories represent important milestones for the Test team. "I personally wasn't overly excited after the win in Darwin. Initially, I took it as a simple win. But the last two days, standing in the dugout and slips, I realized what we had really achieved," he said.
"We won a wonderful Test match in Darwin, which we can be proud of. We now have two big wins, like beating New Zealand and Australia in their conditions, next to our names. Hopefully, we will do the same in South Africa, which will take our Test team further forward."
Shanto said Bangladesh had prepared seriously for the Mackay Test despite the emotional high of their Darwin triumph. The Great Barrier Reef Arena pitch was described by its curator as similar to the Brisbane wicket, presenting the visitors with another demanding examination. The captain said the most important outcome from the tour was the experience gained from playing against a strong Australian bowling attack in challenging conditions. "We tried our best on this tour. We have to keep in mind that we have not played against such a bowling attack in such conditions before," he said. "The most important thing now is to use this experience in the future."