In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi, the former Australia pacer and ex-Bangladesh fast-bowling coach breaks down the Tigers' newfound pace mettle, their push for Test consistency, and more.

Although Bangladesh endured a disappointing performance in the Mackay Test, chief selector Habibul Bashar expressed overall satisfaction with their two-match series against Australia, describing the 1-1 draw as a “huge achievement” for Bangladesh cricket.

Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq will return to Afghanistan's Twenty20 international squad for the three-match series against India after a two-year absence, with the aim of building the side for future events.

Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from the second Test against Pakistan, while an incident outside a nightclub is investigated by the Cricket Regulator, in the latest off-field setback for England.

India took control on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Monday, posting 503-9 declared before claiming two quick wickets to leave the hosts reeling at 8–2.

Bangladesh will leave the country on August 26 for the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai, which begins on August 28. The Tigresses are in Group B alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, the UAE and Indonesia.

Md Rubel produced a magical spell with four wickets for just 15 runs before Shamim Hossain's late hitting guided Bangladesh to 136 for five in 17.2 overs, with 16 balls to spare while chasing 132.

For Bangladesh, however, the rating raises a familiar question: would the same surface receive similar treatment if it had been prepared in the subcontinent?

If Bangladesh's pace attack showed remarkable consistency, their batting showed the opposite.

Cummins, who remains Australia's official ODI captain, has played just two from a possible 28 matches in the format since the 2023 World Cup.

While the wicket played its part in making batting difficult, the visitors also made things harder for themselves against Australia in the Mackay Test.

Former Australia captain Greg Chappell, backed by 20 other former international captains including India greats Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, has appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to provide “humane treatment and proper medical care” to former Pakistan prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan.

Brydon Carse is under investigation after he reportedly became the latest England cricketer to be involved in a nightclub incident, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Sunday.

Sabbir Rahman smashed a half-century as Bangladesh HP secured a three-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes Academy in the Top End T20 Series at Marrara Oval in Darwin on Sunday.

Top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal's fine form continued as he scored 117 to help India reach 300-5 at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday.

Australia captain Pat Cummins praised his side for "all looking sharp" in a crushing innings and 51-run thrashing of Bangladesh in Mackay on Sunday as they emphatically bounced back from losing the first Test.

Yet Shanto insisted the Mackay defeat should not erase what Bangladesh achieved a week earlier.

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

Shanto said the challenge in Mackay exposed areas of Bangladesh's batting that need work.

The Tigers' progress in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 table has also remained intact despite the Mackay defeat.