Bangladesh lost by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test played at Mackay on Sunday. With this, Australia leveled the series 1-1 after losing by 9 wickets in the first Test played in Darwin. The match lasted only 750 balls and ended within two days. Bangladesh was all out for 64 runs in the first innings and 95 runs in the second innings. Mitchell Starc took 10 wickets in the match, while Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon took three wickets each in the second innings.
Shanto acknowledged Australia’s experience and ability, but felt Bangladesh did not play up to expectations. After the defeat, Shanto said, “Yes, obviously we all know how good they are and as I said in the press conference, they have a lot of years of experience. They played well, showed their spirit, and as a Bangladesh Test team we did not play our best match.”
The situation in Mackay was quite different from that in Darwin. It was difficult to bat throughout the Test due to the extra bounce and movement there. Shanto said, “Yes, obviously these conditions are different, and there is a little more bounce and swing in the air. That is why it is challenging for us. However, as a team, if we want to progress, we will have to adapt to these conditions, and I hope this experience will help in future.”
There were some positive moments in the match for Bangladesh. Shoriful Islam took 7 for 48, the best performance by an overseas bowler in Australia since Curtly Ambrose’s 7/25 in Perth in 1993. Shanto said that the pitch was difficult for the batsmen of both the teams and praised the efforts of Shoriful, Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmood. He said, “It is very difficult for all the batsmen. If you look at their batting also, they also had to struggle. It was very pleasing to see the way Shoriful, Taskin and Hasan bowled. To be honest, it is very difficult to bat on this wicket.”
Bangladesh had won the first Test in Darwin by a historic 9 wickets, but Australia made a strong comeback in Mackay to draw the series. Despite the defeat, Shanto said that important lessons had been learned from the tour and he sought more opportunities to play Test cricket in similar conditions. “It’s a very proud moment as a team. We showed our spirit and as you said, we were disciplined in the first Test, we need to maintain that consistency. I believe if we get more opportunities here in similar conditions, it will help us and that’s what we want,” he said.
Shanto also stressed that Bangladesh should get more opportunities to play Test cricket abroad to accelerate the development of Bangladesh. He said, “It is not that after a very long time, like coming here once in 23 years and playing two Test matches. It is not easy. That is why if we get a chance to play every year, it will help us improve our game.”
Disclaimer: This news is automatically published by auto feeds. There has been no change or editing of any kind in this news by BhaskarHindi.com team. The entire responsibility of this news and the materials used in the news rests solely with the news agency and before using the information given in this news, definitely take advice from experts of the relevant field (lawyer / engineer / astrologer / architect / doctor / news agency / other subject expert). Therefore, BhaskarHindi.com news portal does not take any responsibility regarding the related news and text matter, photos, videos and audios used.