Najmul Hossain Shanto reappointed as Test skipper for remainder of WTC cycle

Published - 01 Nov 2025, 21:00 IST | Updated - 01 Nov 2025, 21:00 IST

Najmul Hossain Shanto has been reappointed to lead Bangladesh's Test side. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced that Shanto will remain in charge till the end of the current 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

Earlier in the year, Shanto had stepped down from Test captaincy after a series defeat against Sri Lanka. He had also been Bangladesh's all-format skipper. However, Shanto left the T20I role in 2025 itself.

Shanto expressed that leading the country in the longest format is "the greatest pride of his life". He also said that it was an exciting prospect leading a squad with the potential that the team possesses.

"I feel truly honoured to continue leading the Bangladesh Test team and I am very grateful to the Board for the faith and trust they have shown in my captaincy. Captaining my country in Test cricket is the greatest pride of my life. I will do my utmost to repay the responsibility that has been entrusted to me," stated Shanto, as per a social media release from the BCB.

"It is a joy to lead a team that has so much talent and potential, and I believe we have an exciting and positive season ahead. We are looking forward to the upcoming series against Ireland later this month, which marks the start of a busy and important period for Bangladesh Test cricket," he added.

Bangladesh have played two Tests in the current WTC cycle. They have drawn and lost one each and are yet to register a win. The two-match home series against Ireland serves as a perfect opportunity to build momentum going into a busy cycle. For the unversed, the series against Ireland is not a part of the WTC cycle.

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Speaking of Shanto, he is not going through the best of form with the bat. He scored only 103 runs in the three ODIs against Afghanistan and West Indies. It will be critical for the Shanto and Bangladesh that the he starts contributing.