Najmul Hossain Shanto Resigns as Bangladesh Test Captain After Sri Lanka Defeat

Najmul Hossain Shanto has resigned from his position as the Bangladesh Test captain. This announcement follows Bangladesh's innings and 78-run defeat to Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday. Reports had previously suggested that Najmul's continuation as Test skipper was uncertain.

Najmul Hossain Shanto no longer ODI captain © AFP

"I have an announcement to make," Najmul stated at the post-match press conference. "I am stepping down from the Bangladesh Test captaincy. I don't want to continue as captain in this format. I want to give a clear message: this is not personal. It is entirely for the betterment of the team, and I believe this will help the team."

Najmul further explained that he believes Bangladesh doesn't need separate captains for each format, leading to his decision. Recently, Mehidy Hasan was appointed as the ODI captain, while Najmul had previously relinquished the T20I captaincy.

"Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to be in this dressing room, and I don't feel it is logical to have three captains for three formats. This is completely my personal opinion. The cricket board might think otherwise, and I fully respect that. In my view, having three captains will be difficult for the team. So, for the betterment of the team, I am stepping down," he clarified.

He further emphasized that his decision was not influenced by the ODI captaincy change. "If the cricket board feels they will continue with three captains in three formats, that will be their decision. I just hope people don't see this as a personal issue or think I did this because I felt bad about the ODI captaincy snub. I want to make it clear again: this is for the betterment of the team. There is nothing personal here," he reiterated.

Najmul confirmed that he had informed the cricket operations department about his decision a few days prior to the public announcement.