Najmul Hossain Shanto has stepped down as the captain of the Bangladesh Test team following their recent defeat against Sri Lanka. The announcement came after Bangladesh suffered an innings and 78-run loss in the second Test in Colombo, concluding the two-match series with Sri Lanka winning 1-0.
Shanto, who assumed the Test captaincy in November 2023, led the team in 14 matches, achieving four wins, one draw, and nine losses. His tenure included notable victories, such as the historic back-to-back wins against Pakistan in August 2024. Despite the team's mixed performance under his leadership, Shanto's individual batting average as captain was 36.24, compared to his career average of 29.83, showing that he performed better with the added responsibility.
In a statement released at the post-match press conference, Shanto explained that his decision was made in the best interests of the team. He emphasized that his choice was not influenced by personal disappointment or emotions but rather a strategic move to benefit the team's future. He also stated that he had communicated his intentions to the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) cricket operations department a few days prior.
Shanto expressed his belief that having three different captains for three different formats (Test, ODI, and T20I) could be challenging for the team's dynamic. This perspective aligns with his earlier statements before taking on the captaincy, where he favored having a single leader across all formats. Earlier in June 2025, Mehidy Hasan Miraz had replaced Shanto as ODI captain. Shanto had also previously stepped down as T20I captain to focus on his batting.
The recent Test series against Sri Lanka saw Bangladesh face tough competition. In the second Test in Colombo, Bangladesh scored 247 in the first innings but struggled against Sri Lanka's strong batting lineup, which amassed 458 runs. Bangladesh was then dismissed for just 133 in their second innings, leading to the innings defeat. Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya played a key role, taking five wickets, while Pathum Nissanka was named Player of the Match and Series for his consistent scoring.
With Najmul Hossain Shanto stepping down, the BCB will now need to appoint a new Test captain. The board's decision regarding the leadership structure—whether to continue with separate captains for each format or consolidate the role—will be crucial for the team's stability and performance. The immediate focus for both teams shifts to the upcoming white-ball leg of the tour, starting with the ODI series in Colombo.
