Nazmul Hasan Shanto Steps Down As Bangladesh T20I Captain

At the beginning of 2025, a shocking development occurred in Bangladesh cricket. Nazmul Hasan Shanto has resigned from the Bangladesh T20I captaincy. However, his resignation is only for the T20 format, and he will continue to lead Bangladesh in Test and ODI formats. He has caused much-concerned discussion over Bangladesh cricket, and Liton Kumar Das can be considered for the T20I captaincy. It is believed that a long time back Shanto planned his move as it was a sudden but much-planned move after the T20 World Cup.

Shanto’s Resignation from T20I Captaincy

 

A ripple of controversy has shaken the cricketing fraternity following the announcement by Nazmul Hasan Shanto of his decision to quit Bangladesh’s T20I captaincy. Sources have reported that he was always on his way out following the T20 World Cup but that the Bangladesh Cricket Board had tried to persuade him to withdraw his resignation back then.

Shanto’s decision to quit the T20I captaincy, though a shock, is made after the frustration period, especially after Bangladesh lost the home series against South Africa. This series seems to have burdened Shanto, who was said to be thinking of stepping down from the leadership role in all formats. However, although Shanto wanted to resign completely, the BCB could not accept his resignation from all formats and thereby compelled him to remain as the captain for the ongoing ODI and Test series, especially the forthcoming Champions Trophy.

Shanto Remaining as the Leader for Both Tests and ODIs

 

Despite Shanto relinquishing the captaincy of T20Is, he will still lead the Bangladesh team to contest in Tests and ODIs. The BCB said that in the absence of injury, Shanto would still be the captain for the team in these formats going forward. The president of the BCB, Farooq Ahmed, said that although the decision taken by Shanto to tender resignation for the T20I captaincy has been accepted, his leadership in the longer formats of the game is safe for now.

Despite the turmoil over Shanto’s leadership in T20s, the BCB has been confident of his ability to lead the team through the Test and ODI series, including the high-pressure event of the Champions Trophy. Leadership continuity is important for the stability of the team, especially with Bangladesh set to face new international challenges.

Liton Das: The Strong Candidate for T20I Captaincy

 

Shanto stepping down from the T20I leadership, his successor is already being sought, and the most prominent contender is Liton Kumar Das. The experience that Liton had as a captain in the recently played T20 series against the West Indies has brought him to the forefront of this position. Liton, during the series against the West Indies, led Bangladesh to a dominant 3-0 win in the T20I series.

Despite the recent form of Liton in white-ball cricket, which may raise questions over his suitability for the captaincy, his tactical acumen and previous experience with the captaincy make him a strong candidate for the T20I leadership role. However, the BCB is not in any hurry to announce the official captain as no immediate T20 series is scheduled. The board would take time to assess the possible candidates and their performances before finalizing the appointment.

Mehdi Hasan Miraz as Alternative Option for T20I Captaincy

 

Another name that’s surfaced in discussions relating to the next T20I captain is Mehdi Hasan Miraz, who captained Bangladesh during the West Indies tour while Shanto was out of the frame. His performance there was highly appreciated, and it has sparked rumors that he may also lead the T20I side into the future.

But since the board has already decided to retain Shanto as the captain for the Champions Trophy, the T20 format might see a change of captaincy after that event. Still, Miraz’s name is there, and his leadership skills are going to be useful in the long run.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Approach to Leadership Transition

 

The BCB has taken his decision to quit the T20I captaincy but has not rushed to name a new captain. As there are no T20 series lined up immediately, the BCB is taking time, letting things simmer, so proper evaluation would be made before an official announcement regarding the T20I captaincy is made.

In the meantime, the board needs to keep an eye on the performances of the teams as a whole, with this Champions Trophy up for grabs; Shanto remaining in charge to lead Tests and ODIs also means that this BCB could look for ways to maintain that stability and continue with the consistency in those forms while looking around for the ideal candidate to command the T20I team, going forward.

The New Chapter For Bangladesh’s T20I Leadership

 

Nazmul Hasan Shanto, the main T20I captain of Bangladesh cricket in the shortest format, has stepped down from this position. However, no new captain has been announced yet. Liton Das is apparently its favorite, while Mehdi Hasan Miraz also seems to be considered for this position. As Bangladesh prepares for the Champions Trophy, Shanto will continue to lead the team in Test and ODI formats, providing much-needed stability. The coming months will likely bring clarity on the future of T20I leadership, with the BCB closely monitoring performances and making decisions based on the team’s evolving needs.

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