Shanto quits as Bangladesh Captain after SL series defeat

Monday, 30 June 2025 01:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Najmul Hossain Shanto

Bangladesh Test Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stood down from the role “for the betterment of the team” after their innings-and-78-run defeat by Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo.

Shanto announced his decision in the post-match press conference, and had already informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board, saying he did not believe three captains – a different person in each format – was the correct structure.

The 26-year-old was replaced as 50-over Captain by all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz on 12 June, while wicketkeeper Litton Das is their T20 skipper.

“I don’t want to continue as Captain in this format, and I want to give a clear message to everyone: this is not a personal matter,” said Shanto. “It is entirely for the betterment of the team, and I believe this will help the team.”

“If the cricket board feels they will continue with three captains in three formats, that will be their decision.”

Bangladesh won four of their 14 Tests under Shanto’s leadership, losing nine.

The latest defeat came last Saturday when Sri Lanka needed less than six overs to take the final four Bangladesh wickets needed to complete victory. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took three of them to finish with 5-56 and Tharindu Ratnayake secured the win when he trapped Ebadot Hossain lbw. It means Sri Lanka win the two-Test series 1-0 after a rain-affected first Test finished in a draw.

“There was a difference between the two matches,” said Sri Lanka Captain Dhananjaya de Silva. “Bowlers and batters did well in the first innings here. Bowlers had their plans and executed well. That’s a good morale booster for us; losing the toss and putting the opposition under pressure.”

The series marked the start of the new World Test Championship cycle, external, which runs until 2027.

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