The next four matches will be crucial to Bangladesh’s hopes, and chief selector Habibul Bashar said they do not want to lose momentum.

The Bangladesh fast-bowling coach talks about the team’s mindset and preparation, the development of its pace attack, the role of local coaches

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.

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.

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

The bright side for the Bangladesh wicketkeeper is that this is only a two-Test series

Shoriful, returning after missing the first Test with a hamstring injury, kept the Tigers in the hunt after Mitchell Starc's 6-12 had threatened to turn the match into a one-sided contest.

A total of 18 wickets fell on the opening day in Mackay, the third-highest number of day-one wickets in a Test in Australia since 1975.

The 25-year-old said the conditions remained helpful to fast bowlers, with the wind also playing a role.

Four extraordinary first days in Australian Tests in less than two years.

Shoriful said his maiden five-for was the result of work done in practice.

Australia have made only one change to their XI, with Matt Renshaw coming in for out-of-form opener Jake Weatherald.

The Tigers know a sterner test awaits in Mackay, where conditions are expected to offer more assistance to Australia.

Bangladesh have five pace bowlers available for the Test, but Shanto said the final combination would only be decided after another inspection of the Mackay surface on Saturday morning.

Matthew Renshaw was the only change, replacing Jake Weatherald at the top of the order, while Lyon retained his place for the second Test against Bangladesh at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.