In a significant development for Bangladesh cricket, Najmul Hossain Shanto has been appointed to lead the national team in the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. This announcement was made by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Saturday, November 18. Shanto, who will become the nation’s 13th Test captain, is set to take the helm as the series kicks off on November 28 in Sylhet.
The leadership change comes after regular Test captain Shakib Al Hasan was sidelined due to a finger fracture sustained during their World Cup match against Sri Lanka. With Shakib unable to participate, the responsibility has been handed over to the young batsman, who is expected to provide fresh leadership for the Test squad.
Adding to the team’s challenges, the vice-captain of the Test squad, Litton Das, had expressed his desire to take a break from international cricket to spend more time with his family. “He wanted leave for one month and didn’t want to play two Tests as he wanted to give time to his family. We cannot push any player to play,” BCB cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus said. Despite the board’s preference for him to participate in the second Test, Das insisted on dedicating a full month to family time, particularly to be with his newborn baby and the mother.
Yunus went on to elaborate that a player’s commitment to participate must come willingly and from the heart, emphasizing that professionalism and determination to play for the country are key traits for selection to the national team. As such, Yunus confirmed that the board respected Das’s decision and granted his request for leave, while also noting uncertainty regarding his availability for Bangladesh’s subsequent tour of New Zealand that will include three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and as many T20 Internationals.
Meanwhile, the coaching lineup for the Test series against New Zealand will also see a shift. With Allan Donald stepping down from his role, West Indian Corey Collymore, currently the pace bowling coach with BCB’s High Performance Unit, will assume the responsibility for the upcoming matches. Additionally, High Performance Unit head coach David Hemp is expected to join the team management in some capacity.
The recent performance of Bangladesh in the World Cup, where the team did not fare as expected, is set to undergo thorough evaluation. “Everyone has to take the blame for the World Cup,” Yunus explained, indicating that future discussions and a board meeting will delve into the matter further.
Conversations about leadership extend to the future of the ODI team captaincy as well. Shakib Al Hasan has publicly stated his unease with captaining the ODI setup, yet official confirmation has not reached the BCB. “We are not saying anything about it (ODI captaincy) until we know more about Shakib’s injury status after November 28,” Yunus revealed. Should Shakib not be able to resume his role, the board will make a considered decision on who should be entrusted with the position on a longer-term basis.
As Bangladesh cricket faces a transitional period, both in terms of leadership and team dynamics, the upcoming series against New Zealand presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the players and coaching staff. With a new captain at the helm and a reshuffled support team, Bangladesh will look to chart a course to success while navigating the absence of key players and reflecting on past performances. The strategic decisions made now will be crucial as the team builds towards future engagements on the international cricket stage.