Shanto urges Bangladesh to reset and chase another five-day performance

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto says his side must put the historic Darwin win behind them and adapt quickly to the extra bounce expected in Mackay

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes his team's memorable win over Australia in Darwin will count for little unless they can produce another complete performance in the second Test in Mackay.

Bangladesh stunned Australia by nine wickets in the opening Test, recording their first Test victory on Australian soil after returning there for the first time since 2003. But with the visitors now leading the series 1-0, Shanto has urged his side to move on from the celebrations and focus on the fresh challenge ahead.

"We need to play five days of good cricket again," Shanto said. "It's a proud moment for all of the players, even ex-cricketers from Bangladesh. But it's done; I think it's gone."

Bangladesh's confidence has been boosted by their strong batting display in Darwin, where they replied to Australia's 198 with 426. Shanto said scoring runs against Australia's high-quality attack had given the batting group belief that they could perform against any bowling unit.

"Personally, I really wanted to face this kind of bowling attack because I always believe that if I can score against this kind of bowling attack, I'll be able to score against anyone," Shanto said.

"So this is a big opportunity and a very big challenge as a batting unit. When you score against this kind of team, it gives you a lot of confidence going forward."

Bangladesh prepare for extra bounce

The conditions in Mackay are expected to offer more bounce than Darwin, but Shanto said Bangladesh had prepared for such surfaces even before arriving in Australia.

"In these conditions, there will be a little bit more extra bounce than Darwin," he said. "Before we came here, we had been preparing on this kind of bouncy track.

"We had a series against Zimbabwe where we got an almost similar pitch, so we have an idea. In the last couple of days, the batters have been working on their skills in the nets. I think they will cope with this extra bounce."

Bangladesh's first-innings batting in Darwin was one of the biggest positives of their victory. They occupied the crease for 138 overs, with Tanzid Hasan scoring his maiden Test hundred, while Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz made fifties. Mominul Haque also contributed a valuable 49.

Shanto said the team would continue to adapt its approach according to the conditions rather than rely on one fixed strategy.

"We have different plans for different conditions. We are not going to play every single Test match in the same way," he said.

"We try to adjust to the conditions and focus on how the opposition is going to attack us. Sometimes it depends on the surface and the bowling attack. In the last Test, the plan was that we needed to be patient enough."

Focus shifts from Darwin highs to Mackay challenge

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has spoken about managing the emotions that followed the historic win, and Shanto is confident the players can quickly refocus.

"After the first Test, there are a lot of emotions," Shanto said. "But as professional cricketers, we have to come again when we face new conditions and a new challenge.

"The last couple of days have been a very good preparation phase, and the players are very professional. Some experienced players are there, and they talk to the young players about coming back and doing the right things over and over again."

Bangladesh now have the chance to turn their breakthrough Darwin victory into a landmark series win. But for Shanto, the message remains simple: the result of the first Test is now history.

"We did a great job, but we need to focus on this Test match," he said. "We have prepared ourselves well for the last couple of days, and the boys are ready to go again."

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