Najmul Hossain Shanto Gives Up Bangladesh T20I Captaincy | Reports

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January 2, 2025 0 710

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Najmul Hossain Shanto Hangs His Boots As T20I captain

Najmul Hossain Shanto stepped down as Bangladesh’s T20I captain to focus on other formats, with Litton Das likely to take over.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Thursday (January 2) that Najmul Hossain Shanto has decided to step down as the T20I captain of the national team. Cricbuzz earlier reported that Shanto was unwilling to continue leading the side after the conclusion of the home series against South Africa. Initially, he had planned to resign from T20I captaincy after the 2024 World Cup but later expressed his intention to step down from all three formats.

However, following intervention from BCB President Faruque Ahmed, Shanto was retained as the captain for the ODI series against Afghanistan, where he subsequently suffered an injury. “Shanto finally told us that he won’t lead in the T20Is, and we accepted it, but as we don’t have T20Is at the moment, we have time in hand and so we are not picking a new captain. If there is no injury issue, Najmul will remain the captain in Tests and ODIs, and we have discussed it,” a senior BCB official told Cricbuzz.

Shanto’s decision to relinquish the T20I captaincy seems to be a practical move that could benefit both him and the team. The pressure of captaincy, particularly in the shortest format, often requires quick decision-making and an aggressive approach, which may not align with Shanto’s natural style of play.

Additionally, his inconsistent performances as a batter while leading the team have led to criticism, overshadowing his otherwise solid contributions in other formats. By stepping down, Shanto can focus on improving his game and leading more effectively in Tests and ODIs, where his temperament and skill set seem better suited.

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Litton Das Expected To Take Up T20I Captaincy

Litton Das, who successfully guided Bangladesh to a 3-0 series win over West Indies as a stand-in T20I captain, is expected to take over the role permanently. Das has expressed his willingness to take on the responsibility on a long-term basis, making him a natural successor in the shortest format.

Shanto, however, will continue to lead Bangladesh in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Speculation that Mehedy Hasan might be considered for the captaincy in Tests and ODIs was dismissed after he served as a stand-in captain during the West Indies tour when Shanto was sidelined due to injury.