Bangladesh Captain Najmul Shanto Steps Down After Series Loss to Sri Lanka

Bangladesh cricket captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has announced his resignation as Test skipper following the team’s crushing defeat to Sri Lanka by an innings and 78 runs in the second Test, thereby losing the two-match series 1‑0. The result ended with a first innings triumph for Sri Lanka at Colombo’s spin-friendly venue and marked the conclusion of Shanto’s tenure, signaling a new leadership era in Bangladesh red-ball cricket.

 Match Recap: Sri Lanka Stun Bangladesh in Colombo

Sri Lanka outplayed Bangladesh across all departments in the second Test:

• First innings: Bangladesh managed 247 runs, responding with a commanding 458 by Sri Lanka, propelled by opener Pathum Nissanka (158), supported by Dinesh Chandimal (93) and Kusal Mendis (84). Sri Lanka secured a 211-run lead .

• Second innings collapse: Bangladesh were all out for 133. Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya claimed 5/56, while Dhananjaya de Silva helped tighten the noose .

• The series opener in Galle had ended in a draw, thanks largely to Shanto’s twin centuries: the only drawn Test under his captaincy .

Shanto called the defeat “very disappointing,” pointing out missed opportunities and key batting mistakes, especially in advantageous positions .

Shanto Resigns: What He Said

In a post-match press conference, Shanto made his intentions clear:

“I don’t want to continue as captain in this format… This is not personal … I have taken the decision for the betterment of the team.” hindustantimes.comespn.com+4reuters.com+4indiatoday.in+4

He emphasised that having separate captains for Test, ODI, and T20 formats was inefficient and believed a single leader would serve the team better .

Shanto expressed his desire to support the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as it decides the future of Test leadership .

 Shanto’s Tenure: Stats & Highlights

• Took Test captaincy in November 2023 after Shakib Al Hasan’s departure; led 14 matches until June 2025 .

• Under him, Bangladesh secured 4 Test wins, including a memorable series victory over Pakistan in August 2024 .

• Achieved twin centuries in Galle, a rare feat by a Bangladesh captain; finished the Sri Lanka series as their top scorer with 300 runs .

• His personal batting average improved from 29.83 (as a player) to 36.24 (as skipper), with an average of 37.16 in wins .

 What Lies Ahead: BCB’s Leadership Moves

With Shanto stepping down and Mehidy Hasan Miraz already serving as ODI captain since June 12, 2025 , the BCB is poised to rethink its approach to Test leadership. Litton Das holds the reins in T20 format .

Bangladesh won’t play another Test until October (home match vs Ireland), allowing the Board ample time to evaluate options including Mehidy or Litton for the Test captaincy.

 Implications for Team Strategy & WTC Goals

This Test series was Bangladesh’s first in the new 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship . The disappointing result puts them under pressure for upcoming matches and jeopardizes their WTC points tally.

Strengthening leadership in Tests is crucial. With Mehidy and Litton already captaining other formats, BCB must ensure the next Test leader earns wide locker room and player support.

 Analysis: Reasons & Future Outlook

Key factors contributing to Shanto’s resignation:

1. Heavy series defeat by Sri Lanka’s spinners.

2. Fractured squad leadership, with three concurrent format captains.

3. A strong personal performance from Shanto, but team inconsistency.

4. Desire for clear and unified leadership ahead of future tours.

Potential successors:

• Mehidy Hasan Miraz: already ODI captain, offers consistency across formats.

• Litton Das: young, but carries less leadership experience.

• Alternatively, a veteran player could be appointed for Tests only.

Najmul Hossain Shanto’s resignation marks a major shift in Bangladesh’s cricketing leadership. As BCB prepares for an extended Test-free window, choosing the next skipper who can unify the camp and boost performance in upcoming series (including Ireland, Pakistan, and beyond) will be crucial.

Stay tuned to KKNLive for in‑depth updates—captaincy decisions, squad reshuffles, and coverage of the upcoming ODI and T20 series in Sri Lanka.