'Huge achievement' - Najmul Hossain Shanto reacts to Bangladesh's historic jump in ICC rankings

Bangladesh's two‑match Test tour of Australia may have ended on a deflating note with an innings‑and‑51‑run loss in Mackay on Sunday, but the 1‑1 scoreline has helped them rise above No. 9 in the ICC men's Test team rankings for the first time in their cricketing history. The Bangla Tigers have climbed to No. 6 in the latest ICC men's Test rankings, and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has hailed it as a “huge achievement”.

Bangladesh's remarkable jump is largely a result of their nine‑wicket win over Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.

“Of course reaching No. 6 is good news,” Shanto said after the conclusion of the Mackay Test on Sunday. “I am just hearing about it. To reach No. 6 in the Test rankings 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 is not easy to compete in these conditions against a team of this quality. If we are able to come here consistently, then the players can get an idea of playing here. They will have more experience of playing in Australia. They can adjust to these conditions and play good cricket.”

Bangladesh had reason to believe they could win the series, but a spicy deck in Mackay exposed their vulnerabilities. The tourists were bowled out for 64 and 95 in the first and second innings respectively, with Mitchell Starc claiming 10/51. Shanto felt it was far from ideal for his team to be touring Australia for a Test series after 23 years and hopes Bangladesh receive more opportunities in the future.

“It is hard for the players. Probably 90 percent of the players have not played here. They do not know how to adjust or cope with these conditions and this kind of bowling attack. My request is that we want to play here. We want to play in similar conditions consistently, not after 23 or 25 years.”

ICC Men's Test Team Rankings