SL vs BAN 2025: Najmul Hossain Shanto plays it safe amid ambiguities over Test captaincy

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has found himself in the spotlight amid growing speculation about his future as the Test skipper. However, Shanto has opted for a cautious approach when addressing queries surrounding his leadership role.

While he did not rule out the possibility of stepping down after the ongoing Test series, Shanto was equally careful not to make any statement that could shift the team's focus ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka. His response suggests a desire to keep the team environment stable as they look to continue the flow in the series.

“That discussion has been happening since before the series. Let it (discussion about his future as Test captain) happen. I don't want to comment on this. There's a Test match in two days, and I want to focus on that and contribute both as captain and as a batter. Let the discussion be a discussion," the Southpaw was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Shanto, who made a record with twin centuries in the Galle Test, admitted he was not waiting for an ideal time to step down from captaincy, but assured that any decision he makes will be in the best interest of the team.

"The best moment would have been the last Test match and after scoring back-to-back tons as captain-I could have said something then. The thing is to do something which will be better for the team, but at the moment there is no need to talk a lot about it, and it's a request to everyone don't make hue and cry for it. There needs to be discussion or criticism because it is an important Test match and I hope that we can play well in the Test series," the ace batter added.

The Rajshahi-born further went on to acknowledge that losing the captaincy unexpectedly was difficult. He stated that such discussions should not take place during a series, but rather before the squad is announced.

"It's difficult, and it should not be the case and this kind discussion (removing captaincy) should not be before any Test match or rather for any format and I would think this kind of discussion should take place at least seven or eight days (before announcing any squad) and the earlier, the better, but we are all professional players and would see how we can contribute in that position," the Bangladesh international concluded on the topic.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old injured his finger while taking slip catches during practice, forcing him to miss training in Colombo on Monday. This is the second time he has taken a blow to the finger, having already played through pain in Galle. The second Test is scheduled to begin at Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo on June 25, and the Bangla Tigers would hope the finger injury does not keep him in doubts about the upcoming encounter.