Shanto steps down as Bangladesh Test captain after heavy innings defeat to Sri Lanka

His record stands as the best in Bangladesh’s Test history in terms of win-loss ratio

Najmul Hossain Shanto has stepped down as Test captain following a heavy innings defeat to Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Bangladesh were beaten by an innings and 78 runs on the penultimate day of the second Test, resulting in a 1-0 series defeat, at the SSC on Saturday.

Shanto announced his resignation shortly after the loss, relinquishing his last captaincy role for the Tigers.

Until recently, Shanto had led Bangladesh across all three formats. But he was replaced by Litton Das as T20I captain earlier this year, and on Jun 12, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) named Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the new ODI captain.

The left-handed batter led Bangladesh in 14 Test matches -- the fifth-most by any Bangladeshi captain. Under his leadership, the team won four matches. In terms of total wins, that places him as Bangladesh’s second-most successful Test captain.

However, when considering win-loss ratio and win percentage among those who have led in more than one Test, Shanto’s record stands as the best in Bangladesh’s Test history.

Shanto’s career in Tests began in December 2023 against New Zealand in Sylhet, where he led as stand-in for an injured Shakib Al Hasan.

In a memorable debut, Shanto smashed a century in the first innings, assisting the Tigers to a 150-run win for Bangladesh. He would go on to be appointed permanent captain soon after.

Despite those numbers, his captaincy had come under scrutiny during this series, particularly after the drawn first Test in Galle where his delayed declaration was criticised though he racked up centuries in either innings.

Shanto’s resignation now opens the door for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to consider new leadership options ahead of their next red-ball assignment -- a home Test series against Ireland in November, leaving the board with several months to make a decision.