Shanto to continues as Bangladesh Test captain until 2027

Nazmul Hossain Shanto is set to continue leading Bangladesh in Test cricket until the conclusion of the ongoing 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Saturday. 

The announcement puts to rest weeks of speculation following Shanto’s surprise resignation from the role last June.

Shanto initially stepped down immediately after the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, citing personal discomfort over how his ODI captaincy had been withdrawn without prior consultation. 

His abrupt exit left the red-ball leadership in limbo, but with no Test fixtures scheduled for the next four and a half months, the BCB opted not to rush into appointing a successor.

However, with Bangladesh’s upcoming Test series against Ireland slated for later this month, the board engaged in extensive deliberations before deciding that continuity under Shanto offered the best path forward. 

After constructive discussions, Shanto agreed to resume the captaincy, reaffirming his commitment to the longest format of the game.

BCB President Aminul Islam expressed full confidence in Shanto’s leadership, stating, “The board has confidence in Shanto’s leadership and wants to maintain continuity in red-ball cricket under his guidance. 

The patience, dedication, and deep understanding of Test cricket that he has shown are commendable. The team is continuously improving under him, and we believe further development is possible with stable leadership through this championship cycle.”

Since taking over as Test skipper in 2023, Shanto has led Bangladesh in 14 matches. His reappointment comes at a pivotal moment, with a packed international calendar ahead and a new World Test Championship campaign about to begin.

Expressing gratitude for the renewed mandate, Shanto said, “It is the greatest pride of my life to continue as captain of the Bangladesh Test team. I am deeply grateful for the faith and confidence the board has placed in me. I will do everything in my power to uphold the dignity of this responsibility.”

He added, “This team is full of talented and promising cricketers. We have a busy and important season ahead, which presents a fantastic opportunity for us to grow and compete. We’re eager to kick off the new Test cycle strongly with the series against Ireland later this month.