Bangladesh Appoint Najmul Hossain Shanto As All Formats Captain

Najmul Hossain has been appointed as Bangladesh's formats captain for one year, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Monday. Shanto will replace Shakib Al Hasan, who has been out of action due to a vision problem.

BCB President Nazmul Hasan said the team doesn't want to take any chance due to uncertainty over Shakib with the T20 World Cup 2024 ahead.

"We have decided to appoint Najmul Hossain Shanto across all formats. He will serve the national team as skipper this year," Nazmul told reporters after the board directors meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

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"I have talked to Shakib. His eye issue is still causing problems. There is some uncertainty regarding his participation in Sri Lanka. The World Cup is very near. So we didn't want to take any chance," he added.

Shanto's first assignment as full-time captain will come against Sri Lanka, which will visit Bangladesh in March for two tests, three one-day and three Twenty20 international matches.

Shanto previously led Bangladesh in Shakib's absence for 11 matches over the three formats, including two matches in 2023 World Cup.

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He also guided the side against New Zealand in both home and away series last year. Bangladesh registered its first ODI and T20 victories against the Kiwis in New Zealand and also had a home test win under his captaincy.

Shanto scored 1,650 runs, averaging 42.30, across all formats last year. He also hit five centuries, the most by a Bangladeshi batter in a calendar year.

(With PTI inputs)