![Najmul Hossain Shanto [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1761454147928_Najmul_Hossain_Shanto.jpg?type=hq)
Najmul Hossain Shanto [Source: AFP]
Bangladesh’s star batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has turned down the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to return as Test captain. Despite several discussions, Shanto made it clear he doesn’t want to take up the leadership role again.
Shanto, who was once seen as the future leader of Bangladesh cricket, was appointed captain across all formats in 2023. However, his time as skipper didn’t last long. After he stepped down from leading the Test side earlier, the board also removed him as the ODI captain. Since then, Shanto hasn’t led Bangladesh in any format.
Shanto turns down Bangladesh Test captaincy
According to a BCB source, officials tried to persuade Shanto to change his mind after the recent ODI series against the West Indies, but he refused, as reported by Cricbuzz. BCB’s cricket operations chairman, Nazmul Abedin, personally met with Shanto on October 23 to convince him, but the batter said he wasn’t interested in captaincy at the moment.
"He (Najmul) is not interested to lead at the moment and informed us about his decision," a BCB official said on request of not to be named.
With Shanto stepping away, the Test captaincy position remains vacant following Bangladesh’s last Test series against Sri Lanka. The board is now looking for a new leader, and current T20I captain Litton Das is being considered as the top choice. The BCB is waiting for Litton’s approval before the upcoming two-match Test series against Ireland, which begins on November 11 in Sylhet.
Meanwhile, ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had earlier shown interest in leading the Test team, may not get the chance. Although Bangladesh recently won a home ODI series under his leadership, his overall record has been disappointing, with only three wins in 13 matches. As a result, several board members are uncertain about whether he will continue as ODI captain once his one-year term ends.
Despite the uncertainty, Shano’s short time as captain showed flashes of promise. He was praised for his calm nature and ability to unite young and senior players. Under his leadership, Bangladesh showed fighting spirit in tough matches and displayed improved consistency in Tests.
Notably, Many fans still believe Shanto has the potential to be a long-term leader for Bangladesh in the future, but as of now, he seems focused on his batting and taking a break from the pressures of captaincy.
