Najmul Hossain Shanto. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was announced as Bangladesh’s skipper across all three formats last month, is set for his first assignment when the Bangla Tigers host Sri Lanka at home for a multi-format series. The two Asian teams will compete in three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests.
Shanto has been one of the most consistent performers for Bangladesh in recent times. Since 2023, Shanto has amassed 1,650 runs across the three formats for the national team. No other Bangladeshi cricket has scored more runs in this period than him.
On February 12, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) named Shanto as the Bangladesh skipper in all three formats after Shakib Al Hasan’s future was uncertain owing to his eye problems. Shanto has led his nation in two Tests, six ODIs, and three T20Is. The southpaw also took charge of the team in a couple of matches during the ODI World Cup last year in India in Shakib’s absence.
Ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Sylhet on Monday, March 4, Shanto spoke about the challenges of being Bangladesh’s all-format captain and the advantages as well.
“I know it [being all format captain] is challenging but for planning it will be easier. I have to know about every cricketer though we stay together and playing together but to do the planning it will be easier as I am in charge of three formats. I hope something good will happen,” Shanto was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
I don’t think we have improved a lot in Test cricket: Najmul Hossain Shanto
The 25-year-old noted that Bangladesh haven’t improved too much in the longest format of the game but are playing better than before. Shanto stressed the importance of winning home Tests and being competitive on away tours.
“I don’t think we have improved a lot in Test cricket but we are playing better than before and what I want personally is that when we are playing at home we can win those matches and everyone should build-up [understand] the importance of Test cricket. When we are going abroad we should be able to compete,” he continued.
Bangladesh didn’t have a great ODI World Cup 2023 campaign but the 50-over format is still their strongest suit. Shanto acknowledged that they have not won a major tournament so far. He aspires to bring a trophy to the country during his captaincy tenure.
“In ODIs we are doing good but as a team we are yet to win a big tournament so want to move forward with the plan on how we can play well in a big tournament and bring a trophy for the country,” the new skipper stated.
Also Read: ‘For me to come back, a lot of things have to be right’ – Tamim Iqbal opens up on potential Bangladesh comeback
Shanto didn’t have a memorable time during the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He managed just 75 runs from 12 games at an average of 14.58 and a strike rate of 93.58. However, he isn’t too perturbed by the lack of runs. He also said that after becoming the captain, his batting duties won’t change.
“I don’t think I am playing badly… because of my throat though there was some irritation it is just that I had a bad tournament and I am working on that and hopefully it will be better in the coming days,” he added.
“I have to score even if I am not the captain and it is not a fact that I have to score extra because of being the captain. I feel I am a batter first and my job is to score runs when I am batting and later I will fulfill my duty inside and outside the ground, but I am not seeing it like I am captain so I have to do something extra in the batting and when I am batting I will be fulfilling my responsibility,” Shanto concluded.