Najmul Hossain Shanto believes Bangladesh need to tour Australia more regularly if they are to become better equipped to handle the demanding conditions, while questioning the scrutiny given to pitches in the subcontinent compared to those in Australia.

Bangladesh returned to Australia after a 23-year gap and split the two-Test series 1-1, winning the opening Test in Darwin by nine wickets before suffering an innings-and-51-run defeat inside two days in Mackay.

The Mackay Test saw 18 wickets fall on the opening day, with Bangladesh bowled out for 64 before Australia finished on 165-8. The hosts eventually won after Bangladesh were dismissed for 95 in their second innings.

Shanto said the pitch was challenging but felt similar scrutiny should be applied when matches in the subcontinent produce heavily bowler-dominated days.

“Normally when we play in the subcontinent and 18-19 wickets fall in a day, there is a lot of talk, everyone speaks up. Eighteen wickets fell on Day 1 here too. People need to understand that,” Shanto said after the match.

“The pitch was challenging, and that’s why 18 wickets fell. When we play in the subcontinent, let’s make sure we don’t forget these things.”

The Bangladesh captain also stressed that regular exposure to Australian conditions would be crucial to improving the team's performance.

“It’s a long time, 23 years, since we came here and we played two Test matches, it’s not easy,” he said.

It’s a long time, 23 years, since we came here and we played two Test matches, it’s not easy.

“If we are able to come consistently, then the players have their idea, players have their experience, and they can adjust to this kind of condition and play good cricket.”

Bangladesh's batting struggles in Mackay underlined the challenge. They were bowled out for under 100 in both innings, while Australia's fast bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc, exploited the conditions far more effectively.

Shanto believes that experience can make a significant difference.

“But we need to be consistent, and I believe if we are able to get more chances, similar kinds of conditions year after year, it will help us. And that’s what we want,” he said.

“My request is: we wanted to play here, we wanted to play in similar kinds of conditions consistently, not 23 years, 25 years.”

The series nevertheless marked a significant step for Bangladesh, who secured their first Test victory on Australian soil in Darwin.

Shanto hopes that more regular opportunities against top teams and in difficult conditions can help turn such breakthroughs into sustained progress.

“So if we have that ability, that chance to play every single year, it will help us to improve our game,” he said.