Najmul Hossain Shanto has decided to step down as Bangladesh’s T20I captain as per reports from Cricbuzz. Shanto initially was keen on relinquishing T20I captaincy after the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Bangladesh bowed out in the Super Eights.
He then changed his mind and wanted to step down from captaincy in all three formats after the home series against South Africa. However, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed’s involvement forced Shanto to take over as skipper for the Afghanistan ODIs that followed the South Africa Tests.
Shanto missed the recent all-format West Indies tour due to an injury, following which he has come to the decision to step down as the T20I captain.
The official also confirmed Shanto continuing as Bangladesh’s ODI and Test captain.
With no T20Is on the horizon for Bangladesh in the near future, no decision has been made on their next captain. Yet, after recently leading the side to a 3-0 series win in the West Indies, Litton Das is understood to be the front-runner for Bangladesh’s T20I captaincy.
T20Is have historically been Bangladesh’s weakest white-ball format, yet, Najmul Hossain Shanto led the side to 10 wins in 24 T20I outings as captain. His winning percentage of 41.66 is the best by a Bangladesh captain to have led the side in at least 20 T20Is.
His first game as Bangladesh’s T20I skipper came during the tour of New Zealand in December 2023, while his final outing as T20I captain was the tour of India in October this year.
Shanto helped Bangladesh draw the New Zealand series 1-1 (his first assignment as T20I captain). It was followed by a close 1-2 defeat to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh then crushed Zimbabwe 4-1 before advancing to the Super Eights of the 2024 T20 World Cup, winning three out of their four group-stage matches. A 0-3 drubbing in India, following the World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean, was Shanto’s final series as T20I captain.
Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news
Quick Links
Your perspective matters!
Start the conversation
