A new era beckons for Bangladesh cricket as Najmul Hossain Shanto prepares to don the captain’s mantle, leading the team into the forthcoming two-match Test series confrontation with New Zealand. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) revealed on Saturday, November 18, their decision to promote Najmul as the 13th Test captain for the national side. His leadership tenure is set to commence with the first Test slated for November 28 in Sylhet.
This significant decision came in light of notable absences in the squad. Litton Das, the incumbent vice-captain, had expressed his desire to take time away from the international scene to be with his family. “He wanted to take leave for one month and didn’t want to play the two Tests as he wanted to give time to his family,” BCB cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus confirmed. The board acceded to his request for personal time as forcing participation was not in anyone’s interest.
“He insisted on being with his newborn baby and the mother. After several requests, we approved his plea,” Yunus elaborated. Uncertainty hovers over Litton’s availability for Bangladesh’s subsequent tour of New Zealand that will kick off after the home Test series, featuring three ODIs and T20Is each.
The ripple effect of Litton Das’s absence was compounded by the injury to the regular Test skipper Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib sustained a finger fracture during Bangladesh’s campaign at the World Cup in a game against Sri Lanka, subsequently ruling him out for the upcoming series.
As Bangladesh cricket navigates through these turbulent waters, Najmul is set to lead a 15-member contingent that sees fresh faces with Hasan Morad earning his maiden call-up. The left-arm spinner’s inclusion comes as a reward for his impressive stint in first-class cricket. Alongside him, uncapped talents like Shahadat Hossain Dipu and pacer Hasan Mahmud have been granted the opportunity to showcase their potential at the highest level.
In a remarkable backstage shuffle, West Indian Corey Collymore, serving as the BCB High Performance Unit’s pace bowling coach, is poised to step in for the departed Allan Donald for the two Tests against New Zealand. Moreover, the High Performance Unit head coach, David Hemp, is anticipated to join the team management group, raising the support system’s expertise and experience.
As Bangladesh grapples with a disappointing World Cup performance, introspection is imminent. Yunus shared that the BCB would convene to dissect their World Cup outing critically, potentially setting up a committee to decode the factors behind their underwhelming display.
“Everyone must bear responsibility for the World Cup results,” Yunus said, indicating that a comprehensive review of the campaign was forthcoming. This meeting is expected to extend beyond performance reviews to touch upon future leadership roles, particularly concerning Shakib Al Hasan’s ODI captaincy future.
Shakib’s recent declarations of reluctance to continue in the leadership role added a layer of uncertainty, which the board was hesitant to clarify until his injury status becomes clearer post-November 28.
“If Shakib is unavailable, then we must appoint someone else, and if considering a long-term appointment, the decision will emanate from the board,” concluded Yunus.
With the stage set for a challenging series against New Zealand, Bangladesh cricket hopes to enter a transformative phase under Najmul Hossain Shanto’s captaincy. Announcing his leadership in such trying times is a bold stroke by the BCB, signifying a faith in the resilience and prowess of their emerging talents to steer the team through adversity.