Bangladesh Retains Najmul Hossain Shanto as Test Captain for Sri Lanka Series
Bangladesh Announces Test Squad for Sri Lanka
On June 4, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed that Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue as the Test captain for another year. This announcement coincides with the release of a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, marking the beginning of Bangladesh's journey in the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Returning to the squad is wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, who missed the previous series due to injury. Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain, who last played in July 2023, is also back. Additionally, left-arm spinner Hasan Murad and right-arm seamer Nahid Rana have been included in the team.
However, three players from the recent home Test series against Zimbabwe have been dropped: left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy.
The BCB issued a statement regarding the Test squad announcement
"Najmul Hossain Shanto has been confirmed as the captain of Bangladesh's Test team for another year, continuing the leadership role he took on in 2024. All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz remains the vice-captain, preserving the leadership duo from the previous season,"
The first Test is scheduled to be held in Galle starting June 17, while the second Test will commence in Colombo on June 25. The Bangladesh team is set to depart for Sri Lanka on June 13.
As captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto has made notable contributions to the team; however, his batting performance has declined since taking on the captaincy, averaging only 27.78 with a total of 389 runs. The upcoming series against Sri Lanka presents an opportunity for him to enhance his batting statistics.
Bangladesh Test Squad for Sri Lanka Tour
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Mahidul Islam Bhuiyan, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice-Captain), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Syed Khaled Ahmed.