Bangladesh's first contingent left for Australia last night for their first Test tour there since 2003, with history offering little encouragement. The Tigers have won just one of their 25 Tests across South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia (SENA), underlining the scale of the task awaiting Najmul Hossain Shanto's side in the two-Test series starting in Darwin on August 13.
For subcontinental teams, success in SENA countries has long been the ultimate benchmark in Test cricket. Grass-covered pitches, steep bounce, persistent seam movement and unfamiliar conditions have often made life difficult for visiting Asian sides, with Bangladesh enduring one of the toughest struggles.
Bangladesh have played only two Tests in Australia, both on their maiden tour in 2003, and lost each by an innings margin. They are also winless in England after four Tests and have suffered defeat in all eight of their matches in South Africa.
New Zealand have provided the lone bright spot. Bangladesh's memorable eight-wicket victory at Mount Maunganui in 2022 not only stunned the cricketing world but also remains the country's only Test win across the four SENA nations.
The comparison with other subcontinental sides puts Bangladesh's struggles into perspective.
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India have been the most successful Asian side in SENA countries, winning 31 Tests across the four nations. Pakistan follow with 28 victories, while Sri Lanka have managed nine. Bangladesh's solitary win underlines just how difficult life has been away from home, although India have also lost 94 of their 179 Tests in SENA countries, the most by any Asian side, highlighting the challenge even the continent's strongest team has faced.
Australia, in particular, has proved the toughest assignment. India remain the only Asian side to have won a Test series there, triumphing in 2018-19 before retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil in 2020-21. Pakistan have won four of their 40 Tests in Australia, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are still searching for their first victory there.
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Bangladesh's hopes of springing a surprise have already suffered a blow. Pace spearhead Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the series with a side strain, while Litton Das and Shoriful Islam will also miss the opening Test. Australia, meanwhile, have named a full-strength squad, with the series forming part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, making the Tigers' task even more daunting.
Yet Bangladesh can draw confidence from Mount Maunganui, where they defied both history and expectation to secure one of the greatest victories in the country's Test history. It was proof that daunting overseas records are not unbreakable.
Shanto made no bold predictions before boarding the flight to Australia, choosing instead to acknowledge the challenge that lies ahead. His side know they are entering one of the toughest environments in world cricket.
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If the Tigers are to rewrite another chapter of their overseas history, they will have to focus on taking one session, one day and one Test at a time as they look to crack the Australian code.
