Published: 11:35 AM, 25 August 2026
Bangladesh rise to 6th in Test rankings after Australia series draw
Bangladesh won the first Test in Darwin by nine wickets before slumping to an innings and 51-run defeat in the second Test inside two days. -BCB
Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone by rising to sixth place in the ICC Test rankings for the first time after a 1-1 Test series draw against Australia.
Bangladesh won the first Test in Darwin by nine wickets before slumping to an innings and 51-run defeat in the second Test inside two days.
Despite the humiliating outcome in the second Test, the overall result in Australia was pretty satisfying for a team, visiting here after 23 years.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hailed it as a big achievement, saying that they are keen to improve more in Test, dubbed as the elite format of cricket.
"Alhamdulillah, I just came to know about it. Good news, definitely good news," Shanto said after the second Test in Mackay on Sunday. "Of course, we have come to number six for the first time in Test cricket. It is a big achievement."
Citing the rankings update as positive for them, he said regular opportunities to play against top teams would help Bangladesh improve in challenging conditions.
"I think we should be called. Whatever happens, if we are called, we will also know about these conditions, be able to take on these challenges and play good cricket, InshaAllah," he said, expressing hope that Bangladesh would be invited to Australia again.
Shanto also admitted that the ranking achievement would have felt even better had Bangladesh produced a stronger performance in the second Test.
"The good news would have been even better if we had played good cricket in this Test match," he said.
The Bangladesh captain also revealed that he has a major ambition for the country's Test team, although he declined to disclose it.
"Many people may not believe me when I talk about my dream of making the Test team, but it's very secret. I don't want to say it. If I ever achieve it, I will definitely say it," Shanto said. "But I have a very big dream."
Earlier, Bangladesh collapsed to an innings and 51-run defeat to Australia in the second Test inside two days to end the two-match Test series 1-1, a result that still would be dubbed historical in the country's cricket folklore.
The visiting side was all out for 95 in the second innings in 38.2 overs, trailing by 51 runs to make Australia bat for the second time in the match and thereby conceded their fourth innings defeat against Australia at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
Resuming the day at 165-8, Australia added 45 runs more to their overnight total to be all out for 210, taking a huge 146-run lead. That proved to be decisive as Bangladesh faltered in the second innings too, being dismissed below 100 just three balls after tea.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 in the first 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.
