Najmul Hossain Shanto steps down as Bangladesh Test captain after Sri Lanka defeat

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has resigned from his position after the team’s crushing defeat by an innings and 78 runs in second Test against Sri Lanka.

As reported by Bangladeshi media, the 26-year-old informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of his decision shortly after the loss, signalling that he is no longer interested in continuing in the leadership role, particularly after being relieved of ODI captaincy duties earlier this year.

Shanto had taken over the red-ball reins ahead of the home Test series against New Zealand in November 2023 and led Bangladesh in 14 matches.

His record as captain includes four wins, notably back-to-back victories over Pakistan in August 2024, alongside nine defeats and one draw, which came in the opening Test of the recently concluded Sri Lanka series.

Despite the mixed results, Najmul Hossain Shanto gave decent performances with the bat during his captaincy.

Also read: Sri Lanka crush Bangladesh in second Test to seal series

He averaged 36.24 as skipper, in contrast to his 29.83 average as a non-captain. In the four wins under his leadership, he maintained a healthy average of 37.16.

The decision to resign follows a forgettable performance by Bangladesh in the second Test in Colombo.

After managing 247 in the first innings, they were outplayed in all departments. Sri Lanka piled up a massive 458 in response, before skittling Bangladesh out for just 133 in their second innings.

Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the chief destroyer, picking up a five-wicket haul, while Dhananjaya de Silva and Tharindu Ratnayake chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Pathum Nissanka, who impressed throughout the series, walked away with both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards for his consistent run-scoring.

The two sides will now shift focus to the white-ball leg of the tour. The three-match ODI series begins on July 2 in Colombo, with the second game scheduled for July 5 at the same venue. The series will conclude in Pallekele on July 8.