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Najmul Hossain Shanto Likely to Step Down as Bangladesh Test Captain After Sri Lanka Series
Leadership Uncertainty Surrounds Najmul Amid Internal Rift
Najmul Hossain Shanto, currently leading Bangladesh in Test cricket, is expected to step down from his role following the conclusion of the ongoing two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. According to sources close to the cricketer, Shanto has made up his mind and will soon notify the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) about his intent to relinquish captaincy duties in the longest format of the game.
Although an official statement has not yet been issued, it is believed that discussions between the player and board officials will take place shortly after he formally submits his decision in writing. Whether the announcement is made immediately after the Colombo Test or later will depend on the tone and outcome of those conversations.
Frustration Over Captaincy Decisions Fuels Exit Speculation
A Timeline of Tensions Between Najmul and the BCB
Najmul’s apparent disillusionment comes on the back of a series of events that have left him feeling sidelined and disrespected. Earlier, he had already stepped down as T20I captain voluntarily to focus on his batting but had expressed a desire to continue leading the Test and ODI sides. However, the BCB later replaced him in ODIs, appointing Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the new 50-over captain in a sudden decision that raised eyebrows across the cricketing community.
A close source told Cricbuzz that Najmul, despite maintaining professionalism publicly, is unhappy with the internal politics and poor communication that led to the decision being made without his consultation.
🔗 For background on BCB’s recent leadership changes, read our in-depth Bangladesh cricket leadership analysis
According to the source:
“He is unlikely to continue as Test captain after the Sri Lanka series. I’ve known him for years, and from what I gather, he’s been very disturbed by how things unfolded.”
Emergency Zoom Meeting and Sudden ODI Change
Najmul Was Preparing for ODI Planning Session with Coach Simmons
The situation took a dramatic turn on June 12, when BCB held an emergency Zoom meeting—an unusual move, as captaincy changes are traditionally discussed at board meetings. Without prior warning, Najmul was informed that he would be replaced by Mehidy as ODI skipper.
What made matters worse was the timing: Najmul was about to meet head coach Phil Simmons to strategize for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Instead, he was diverted by a phone call from BCB’s cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedin, informing him about the board’s decision. This caught the southpaw completely off guard, as he had already been planning the squad’s structure and individual roles for the series.
Insiders reveal that Najmul had already spoken with several players about their responsibilities in the ODI set-up. The abrupt dismissal, especially after the board earlier convinced him to stay on as Test and ODI captain, came across as both disrespectful and demoralizing.
BCB Responds: “Najmul Took the Decision Sportingly”
Despite the apparent friction, BCB president Aminul Islam publicly denied any discontent on Najmul’s part. In an interview with Kaler Kantho, he claimed that the decision to implement split captaincy was a collective board strategy aimed at managing workload and enhancing performance.
“Shanto didn’t lose his captaincy—this was a board policy decision. The board member who was assigned to talk to him confirmed he took the decision cordially,” said Aminul.
However, Aminul also admitted that some misunderstanding and media speculation may have added unnecessary tension to the situation.
🔗 For more details on Bangladesh Cricket News
What’s Next for Najmul and Bangladesh Cricket?
With the second Test in Colombo set to conclude the series, all eyes will be on whether Najmul officially steps down and whether the BCB begins hunting for a new red-ball captain. The situation underscores a broader challenge in Bangladesh cricket—maintaining clear communication and consistent policy in leadership decisions.
For Najmul, who has shown promise as a Test batter and captain, this turn of events may offer a chance to focus solely on his batting and regain form without the pressures of leadership.
