Dhaka (Bangladesh), Nov 1 (NationPress) Najmul Hossain Shanto has been confirmed to continue his role as the captain of the Bangladesh Test cricket team until the end of the current 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, as announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday.

This decision represents a notable shift for the 27-year-old batsman, who had previously stepped down from the captaincy following a 1-0 series loss to Sri Lanka in June. At that time, Shanto had expressed concerns that having three distinct captains for different formats could pose challenges for the team.

Initially, Shanto was the captain across all formats but handed over the T20I leadership to Litton Das and was later succeeded by Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the ODI captain. However, as the team prepares for the upcoming two-Test series against Ireland commencing on November 11 in Sylhet, the BCB has reinstated him as Test captain, demonstrating their confidence in his leadership for the ongoing WTC cycle.

In a formal announcement, BCB President Md Aminul Islam commended Shanto’s leadership traits and commitment to the format. “Shanto has demonstrated poise, dedication, and a profound understanding of Test cricket. Under his stewardship, we have witnessed progress, confidence, and consistency in the team’s performances. The Board believes that maintaining continuity in leadership is essential as we advance in this World Test Championship cycle,” Aminul stated.

Responding to the reinstatement, Shanto expressed his gratitude and renewed commitment as captain. “I feel incredibly honored to continue leading the Bangladesh Test team, and I am extremely appreciative of the trust the Board has placed in my leadership. Captaining my nation in Test cricket is the greatest honor of my life, and I will strive to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me,” he said in a BCB release.

“It is a privilege to lead a team rich in talent and potential, and I believe we have an exciting season ahead. We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming series against Ireland later this month, which marks the beginning of a crucial period for Bangladesh Test cricket,” Shanto added.

Since his appointment as captain in 2023, Shanto has led Bangladesh in 14 Test matches, securing four victories, nine losses, and one draw. His most notable achievement came in August 2024, when Bangladesh made history by sweeping a 2-0 series in Pakistan — marking their first-ever Test series victory in that country.

Currently, Bangladesh ranks seventh in the WTC standings with four points after two matches, having lost one and drawn one against Sri Lanka. Although the forthcoming Tests against Ireland are not part of the WTC, this series presents an important opportunity for Shanto to embark on this renewed phase of leadership with confidence and momentum.