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"Want more Tests": Shanto shrugs off packed calendar as Bangladesh eye their busiest year

Akshita Patel

Captain Shanto wants Bangladesh to play more red-ball cricket [Source: @BCBtigers/X.com]Captain Shanto wants Bangladesh to play more red-ball cricket [Source: @BCBtigers/X.com]

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Shanto has stated that a heavy schedule is not a burden but a blessing. As international cricket heads into an increasingly crowded calendar, Shanto believes more matches across formats are exactly what Bangladesh cricket needs to grow.

Interestingly, the Tigers are set to play at least 12 Test matches next year, including demanding tours of South Africa and Australia. 

For a team that has long fought for more red-ball exposure, this represents a major step forward. Shanto captained the side in six Tests this year and won three of them.

Najmul Shanto embraces red-ball workload

Speaking to the press ahead of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) All-Stars match on December 16, Najmul Shanto sounded relaxed and optimistic about what lies ahead. 

Rather than worrying about fatigue or workload, the 26-year-old welcomed the challenge of a packed year.

"I think this year has gone well. Alhamdulillah, if you look at it, it hasn't been too bad. But yes, in the second Test match in Sri Lanka we could have played a bit better cricket. I definitely feel that the team we have now should have played better cricket," Shanto said.

Despite those shortcomings, Shanto feels Bangladesh are heading in the right direction. The upcoming year will test the team’s depth and resilience, with a T20 World Cup also part of the schedule alongside Tests and other limited-overs commitments.

Yet, unlike many captains who express concern over player burnout, Najmul Shanto embraced the workload. For Bangladesh, more matches mean more experience, more learning, and greater confidence against top teams. 

"There are a lot of matches next year. We always hope to play many matches, especially many Test matches. So, the hectic schedule you mentioned — I don't really want to think about it because we want more and more Test matches, in fact more matches in every format. So having playing opportunities is a joyful thing," he added.

Shanto reinstated as Test captain

Najmul Shanto was appointed as Bangladesh’s Test captain in 2023. He led Bangladesh to a historic 2-0 Test series win in Pakistan, boosting the team’s confidence. 

However, after a series loss to Sri Lanka in 2025, he briefly stepped down but was later reinstated by the BCB for the 2025-27 WTC cycle as Bangladesh failed to find a credible captaincy replacement.