Chief selector Habibul Bashar had been under considerable pressure in recent weeks. Bangladesh had endured a difficult build-up to the Australia series, with the former captain facing criticism from various quarters, much as he did during Bangladesh’s maiden Test tour of Australia in 2003. However, the players responded with an exceptional performance, beating Australia by nine wickets to secure a historic Test victory. Following the win, Bashar spoke to The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan over the phone from Darwin about the team’s difficult build-up, their overall performance and other issues. The excerpts are as follows:
The Daily Star (DS): Bangladesh went to Australia having lost the practice match badly. What was the mood in the dressing room before the start of the Darwin Test?
Habibul Bashar (HB): I’ll be honest with you. We played a poor Test in Zimbabwe and then performed badly in the practice match here, so we were under a lot of scrutiny and criticism. Even the Australian media, public and players were talking about the Test, with questions being raised about why Australia were playing Bangladesh.
When we came in 2003, there was talk that the Test should be finished in a day. This time, after 23 years, there were still people saying it should be over in two days. I was hearing things like that. But there was one difference between this team and the previous teams: this team wanted to prove something. Even after losing the practice match badly, what I saw was that they worked really hard. In the time we had after that game, everyone wanted to prove something.
When we came in 2003, there was talk that the Test should be finished in a day. This time, after 23 years, there were still people saying it should be over in two days. I was hearing things like that.
DS: Is there really any chance of calling a Test win an ‘upset’?
HB: No, there’s no room for an upset in Tests. There’s room for upsets in ODIs. In Tests, you always have every possible opportunity to come back. A good team always has the chance to make a comeback. Australia have done it before. They are the number one Test team and have come back from situations like this many times. But I want to give some credit to ourselves. We didn’t allow Australia to come back. They tried, they made an effort, but we didn’t give them that opportunity. We were too good in this Test match. We gave Australia no chance to return. They tried every time, but we didn’t let them. Australia are a good team, but I think we were the better team in this Test match.
We didn’t allow Australia to come back. They tried, they made an effort, but we didn’t give them that opportunity. We were too good in this Test match.
DS: We don’t have a superstar player in the team. How do you rate the collective effort from Bangladesh, and how satisfactory do you find it?
HB: If you look at it, one of our best bowlers at the moment is Nahid Rana, and we played this Test without him. But did you feel his absence? You didn’t. The three fast bowlers who played consistently did their jobs. That is the speciality of this team. There were some performances that overshadowed the rest, such as Tanzid’s, Miraz’s and Hasan Mahmud’s. But you cannot forget Najmul Hossain Shanto’s batting, Mominul’s batting, Mushfiq’s little 30, the lower-order contributions and the fast bowlers’ contribution.
I think we won this Test because of an all-round performance from everyone. Yes, Hasan Mahmud was the Player of the Match, but I think the credit goes to the whole team. Everyone contributed at the right time.
DS: 2003 Darwin and 2026 Darwin. You played as a player then, and now you have returned as the chief selector. What difference do you see?
HB: As a player, there is less pressure. Going as an official or selector, the pressure is much higher. I’ve had a headache for four days now, I’m struggling to speak and have been under a lot of stress. As a player, I was never this stressed.
But the biggest difference I see is respect. When we came in 2003, we didn’t get that much respect. Coming here in 2026, wherever I walk, everyone respects me. As part of the Bangladesh team, I’m getting huge respect from everyone, in every corner. That is a big difference. Before coming here, I said at the press conference that I wanted to return from Australia with respect. And I have received that, very much so. Alhamdulillah.
Before coming here, I said at the press conference that I wanted to return from Australia with respect. And I have received that, very much so.
DS: We also have a great opportunity to win the series. Mackay’s conditions will also be unfamiliar for both teams.
HB: We’ve just won a Test and played very well. Let me enjoy the next two days. We’ll talk about Mackay later. (laughs)
