Left-handed batter Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s decision to not continue as Bangladesh captain following the ongoing South Africa series has rocked the cricket fraternity of the country.
The news of Shanto considering to discontinue as skipper in all three formats of the game broke Saturday when Bangladesh and visitors South Africa were on their way to Chittagong for the second and final Test.
According to a leading cricket website, Shanto has relayed his decision to the Bangladesh Cricket Board and is waiting to hear back from the governing body of cricket in the country.
“Yes, he informed us that he is not ready to lead the side after the South Africa series,” a BCB official was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
According to reports, BCB is in discussion to convince Shanto to reverse his decision.
Shanto was entrusted with the role of Bangladesh captain in all formats in February this year.
The decision from Shanto has come on the back of scrutiny of his captaincy and also his performance as a top-order batter.
However, the occasion is not the first.
It is understood that the left-handed batter thought of quitting as Bangladesh Twenty20 International captain following the side’s dismal performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies.
Bangladesh had failed to go past the Super Eight stage of the International Cricket Council's flagship event.
Though the exact reason for Shanto’s decision now is unclear, it is understood by Dhaka Tribune that the 26-year old was triggered with the thought for his below-par performance with the bat and failing to make the team produce results.
Shanto till date has led Bangladesh in nine Tests, nine One Day Internationals and 24 T20Is.
Bangladesh’s most famous success came under Shanto when they whitewashed Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series in August-September.
With the willow, the southpaw scored seven and 23 in the first Test against South Africa.
In the previous series, against India, he garnered 152 runs in two Tests at an average of 38.
In the Tests against Pakistan, Shanto accumulated 58 runs at an average of 19.33.
Overall, the left-hander has struggled to score runs consistently across formats and it is understood to be the chief reason for his decision to give up captaincy.
Meanwhile, both Bangladesh and South Africa reached Chittagong Saturday for the second Test of the ongoing series that is part of the World Test Championship.
The port city's Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium will host the series-ending Test starting from Tuesday.
