Najmul Hossain Shanto steps down as Test captain

As Sri Lanka bagged a win by an innings and 78 runs in the second Test to seal the two-match series 1-0, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has decided to step down, making his announcement official at the post-match press conference.

Announcing his decision, Shanto stated that this decision is for the betterment of the team across three formats of the game. Furthermore, he added that it was his personal decision, and having three separate captains would be difficult for the team to deal with.

"I don't want to continue [as captain] in the Test format anymore,” Najmul Hossain Shanto said at the post-match press conference.

"This is not personal. I have taken the decision for the betterment of the team. I think this will help the team. I have been a part of the dressing room for the past few teams. I think three captains [for the three international formats] is not sensible. I don't know what the board will feel about this, and I will support their decision. But this is my personal decision. I think three separate captains will be difficult for the team to deal with,” he added.

"I would want that no one feels this decision is emotional, or that I am disappointed by something. I want to make this clear. This is for the betterment of the team,” he stated.

Also, Shanto asserted that his decision was informed to the BCB Cricket Operations department a few days back. Notably, he was replaced as ODI captain by Mehidy Hasan Miraz earlier this month.

It’s important to note that Shanto captained the national team in 14 Tests, winning four games, including the memorable victories in Pakistan in August 2024. However, he also lost nine Tests. As a captain, he averaged 36.24 with the bat as opposed to 29.83 when he wasn’t the captain.

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