Shanto wants more SENA Tests after Bangladesh rise to No. 6 in rankings

Bangladesh drew their first series in Australia in 23 years, and rose above No. 9 on the ICC Test rankings for the first time

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has said that reaching No. 6 in the ICC Test rankings was a "huge achievement" for his side. However, he rued Bangladesh's poor performance in the second and final Test of the series against Australia in Mackay, where they capitulated to an innings and 51-run defeat within two days.

Though Australia completed a win to level the two-Test series 1-1, the ICC updated its rankings to indicate Bangladesh had jumped three spots, from No. 9 to No. 6, owing to their historic win in Darwin in the series opener last week. It is the first time Bangladesh have risen above No. 9 in the Test rankings. They are also fourth in the nine-team World Test Championship standings.

"Of course reaching No. 6 is good news," Shanto said. "I am just hearing about it. To reach No 6 in the Test ranking is a huge achievement. It would have been better if we could have played better cricket in this Test match.

"We are here after 23 years for Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia since 2003. It's not easy to compete in this condition against this quality of team. If we are able to come here consistently, then the players can get an idea of playing here. They will have experienced playing in Australia more. They can adjust to this kind of condition and play good cricket."

While conditions in Darwin were relatively easier to negotiate for Bangladesh's batters, the Mackay Test offered more pace and bounce, and Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 and 95 with Mitchell Starc taking ten wickets in the match.

When asked about the 23-year gap between Tests in Australia for his team, Shanto said: "It's hard for the players. Probably 90% of the players haven't played here. They don't know how to adjust, how to cope with this kind of condition, and this kind of bowling attack. My request is we want to play here. We want to play similar kind of conditions consistently, not after 23 or 25 years."