When Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto faces Pat Cummins for the toss in Darwin this Saturday, the discourse will naturally turn toward pitch conditions, team strategies, and match duration. However, the atmosphere surrounding Bangladesh’s arrival in Australia today contrasts sharply with the environment experienced 23 years ago during the 2003 series.
Ahead of that 2003 tour, the team faced intense scrutiny. Former Australian batter David Hookes published a scathing column in the Sydney Morning Herald on July 12, 2003, titled "Now for a one-day Test." In it, Hookes argued that the world champion Australian side should aim to dismantle Bangladesh within a single day. He suggested that Steve Waugh should send them in to bat, bowl them out before lunch, and finish the match entirely before stumps, claiming Bangladesh did not deserve their place in Test cricket.
These comments left a lasting impression on the then-captain of Bangladesh, Khaled Mahmud. Yet, it was the response from the Australian side that truly defined his memory of the tour. During a pre-series gathering in Darwin, Steve Waugh approached Mahmud and dismissed the criticism, telling him not to worry about the words of a "mad man." Waugh encouraged the visitors, expressing his belief that they were a better team than the headlines suggested and wishing them the best.
Mahmud recalls that this gesture significantly boosted his team's confidence. Despite the harsh external criticism, the Australian side remained remarkably professional. Contrary to expectations of sledging, Waugh's team focused on clinical, intelligent cricket, avoiding loose deliveries and utilizing tactical plans, such as Stuart MacGill’s effective use of the googly.
Beyond the field, the camaraderie continued. Waugh invited the Bangladesh squad to the Australian dressing room after the matches in both Darwin and Cairns. These interactions included friendly chats, cap exchanges, and photographs, with players like Justin Langer even posing in the Bangladesh red-green cap. Mahmud notes that the encouragement from the Australian players provided them with a sense of pride and courage.
Reflecting on the evolution of the game, Mahmud believes the gap between the two nations has narrowed significantly since 2003. With Bangladesh having secured historic Test victories against Australia in 2017 and other notable wins abroad, he hopes the current squad draws confidence from their progress. His primary lesson for the modern team remains to embrace the opportunity and the magnitude of the occasion.
"They played like they always do. Very nice approach and professional. They bowled with a plan and by using their brain. Leg-spinner MacGill bowled three of his customary deliveries before dishing out a googly, and we were totally unfamiliar with it," he added.
"I think during our visit to Australia they were 100 and we were 10 but now times have changed and we can surely compete with them," he said.
