DHAKA – Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto on Saturday announced his resignation from the leadership role following the team’s heavy defeat against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Test series.
The announcement came during a post-match press conference after Bangladesh suffered a crushing loss by an innings and 78 runs. Speaking to the media, Shanto said his decision was made in the best interest of the national team and not driven by personal emotions or disappointment.
“I have decided not to continue as the captain in the Test format. This is not a personal decision, but one that I believe serves the team better,” said Shanto, adding that “Having three different captains for three formats is not beneficial. I’ve been part of the dressing room for a while now and feel that such a setup doesn’t work well,”.
Shanto confirmed that he had informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of his decision several days ago and urged fans and critics not to view it as an emotional reaction.
“This is a strategic step aimed solely at benefiting the team,” he emphasized.
Najmul Hossain Shanto took over the Test captaincy in November 2023 during the home series against New Zealand. Under his leadership, Bangladesh played 14 Test matches, winning four, losing nine, and drawing one. One of the standout moments of his captaincy came in August 2024, when Bangladesh secured back-to-back Test victories against Pakistan.
Statistically, Shanto performed well with the bat during his tenure as captain.
He maintained a batting average of 36.24 as skipper, compared to 29.83 when not leading the side. In the matches where Bangladesh emerged victorious, he averaged 37.16.
Earlier this month, Shanto was also relieved of his responsibilities as ODI captain, with Mehidy Hasan appointed as his successor in the 50-over format.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board is now expected to announce a new Test captain ahead of the team’s upcoming international commitments.
