Chandika Hathurusinghe Backs Najmul Hossain Shanto for Full-Time Captaincy in Bangladesh

After what he termed a "successful tour" of New Zealand, Chandika Hathurusinghe, the head coach of the Bangladesh cricket team, has expressed his desire for Najmul Hossain Shanto to be considered for the full-time captaincy across formats. Shanto, who led the team in the absence of senior players, including Shakib Al Hasan, received praise for his leadership skills during the tour.

Bangladesh had a mixed outing in New Zealand, losing the ODI series 2-1 but securing their first-ever ODI win against the hosts in New Zealand. The T20I series ended in a 1-1 draw. Shoriful Islam, the left-arm seamer, showcased consistent performance, while Shanto's proactive captaincy earned him accolades from the coach.

Hathurusinghe highlighted the positive attitude of the younger players and Shanto's leadership as key factors in the team's performance. When asked if the absence of senior players like Shakib, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah contributed to the improved team environment, Hathurusinghe emphasized that the younger squad enjoyed playing cricket and had clear communication, particularly under Shanto's leadership.

Regarding Shanto's captaincy, Hathurusinghe stated, "He has shown enough evidence for them to take him seriously." Shanto, at 25, is still in the early stages of his captaincy, having led the team primarily in the absence of senior players. However, the coach believes that the Bangladesh selectors should seriously consider Shanto for a more permanent leadership role.

While Shanto's batting performance was not exceptional during the tour, his composed captaincy and tactical acumen stood out. As the Bangladesh Cricket Board deliberates on the captaincy decision, Shanto's leadership skills seem to have left a positive impression on the team management, and the coach is optimistic about a potential long-term role for the young captain.