Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto questioned the double standard surrounding pitches in the subcontinent and elsewhere after 18 wickets fell on the opening day of the second Test against Australia in Mackay.

Shanto pointed out that similar conditions in the subcontinent would likely attract heavy criticism, with pitches often coming under scrutiny when matches produce frequent dismissals.

“Whenever we normally play in the subcontinent, if 18-19 wickets fall in a day, there’s a lot of talk, everyone comments on it,” Shanto said.

“So 18 wickets fell on the first day here too, everyone needs to understand that a little. The pitch was obviously challenging — you can tell just from the fact that 18 wickets fell.”

Australia bowled Bangladesh out for 64 before getting reduced to 165-8 at stumps, which totalled to 18 wickets on the first day.

On the second day, 12 wickets fell inside 51 overs as Bangladesh lost the Test inside two days after being bowled out for 104 in their second innings.

Shanto stressed that the struggles of both team’s batters showed how difficult batting was on the surface.

“If it had only been our wickets falling and not theirs, then that would be one thing. But I’ll say the challenge was tough.”

Despite the conditions, the conditions at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay attracted little to no criticism.

Shanto wanted the same standard to be followed in Tests back home.

“When we play in the subcontinent, I hope we don’t forget these same things,” Shanto said.