Najmul Hossain Shanto steps down as Bangladesh Test captain
NEW DELHI: Najmul Hossain Shanto has announced his decision to step down as Bangladesh's Test captain following the team's 1-0 series defeat against Sri Lanka, capped by an innings-and-78-run loss in the second Test in Colombo.
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At the post-match press conference, Shanto clarified that his decision was motivated by the team's long-term interests and not personal disappointment.
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'I don't want to continue (as captain) in the Test format anymore,' Shanto said. '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 years. 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 underlined that his decision was neither impulsive nor a reaction to the recent defeat.
'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.'
Shanto also shared that he had already communicated his intent to step down to the Bangladesh Cricket Board's cricket operations department 'some days back.'
Earlier this month, Shanto had also been replaced as Bangladesh's ODI captain, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking over the leadership duties in that format.
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Shanto began his tenure as Test captain in November 2023 during the home series against New Zealand. Under his leadership, Bangladesh played 14 Tests, winning four — including two landmark victories in Pakistan in August 2024 — losing nine, and drawing one.
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Despite mixed team results, Shanto's individual form as captain remained solid. He averaged 36.24 in Tests while leading, compared to 29.83 when not captaining. In Bangladesh's four Test wins under his captaincy, he averaged 37.16 with the bat.
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