Najmul Hossain Shanto resigns after Test series defeat against Sri Lanka: ‘This is not personal’

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto resigned from his position after his team’s defeat to Sri Lanka in the second Test of the two-match series on Saturday. After suffering a defeat by an innings and 78 runs in the second Test in Colombo, Shanto declared his choice to step down as captain at the post-match press conference. The left-handed batsman Shanto captained Bangladesh in 14 Tests.

He assumed the role of Test captain prior to the home series against New Zealand in November 2023. Under Shanto’s leadership, Bangladesh secured four victories, including a notable series triumph over Pakistan in Pakistan in August 2024.

Nonetheless, during Shanto’s tenure, Bangladesh also suffered nine defeats. The initial Test match against Sri Lanka, which concluded in a draw, was the sole drawn Test during Shanto’s captaincy. The left-handed batsman excelled with the bat after assuming the captaincy, averaging 36.24.
When he wasn’t the captain, his average was 29.83.

Najmul Hossain Shanto’s Statement after retirement

“I don’t want to continue as captain in the Test format anymore. This is not personal. I have made the choice for the improvement of the team. I believe this will benefit the team. I have been in the dressing room for the last several years. Shanto expressed to reporters after the second Test that having three captains for the three international formats is not practical.

“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,” Najmul Hossain Shanto also added.

Shanto confirmed that he has chosen to resign for the benefit of the team. He stated that it isn’t an emotional decision, and he feels no disappointment about anything.

“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,” said Najmul Hossain Shanto.

The 26-year-old mentioned that he had notified the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of his choice “a few days ago.” It should be noted that earlier this month, he was succeeded as the ODI captain by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.