Bangladesh rise to 6th in Test rankings after Australia series draw

Dhaka, 23 Aug - 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 today. "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."BSS