Shanto new Tigers skipper across formats

Bangladesh cricket enters a new era with Najmul Hossain Shanto as captain and Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu as chief selector, announced Youth and Sports Minister and BCB president Najmul Hassan Papon during a media briefing on Monday following the BCBs board meeting.

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladeshs captain across all three formats, informed the media before the last World Cup that he would not captain the side even for a day after the tournament.

Following a finger injury, Shakib stepped aside and Najmul Hossain Shanto took the reins for all three formats during Bangladeshs series against New Zealand, both at home and away last year.
Under Shantos leadership, the Tigers secured their first-ever Test victory against the Blackcaps on home soil and followed it up with maiden ODI and T20i victories against New Zealand in their own backyard.

Given his success in Shakibs absence, the BCB decided to appoint Shanto as the permanent captain across all formats.

"We had extensive discussions about the captaincy," stated Papon to reporters after the board meeting. "While Shakib remains our first preference as captain, circumstances led to the decision to appoint Najmul Hossain Shanto as captain for all three formats for this year."

Apart from the captaincy issue, another major agenda of the meeting was the restructuring of the selection panel. Minhajul Abedin has been part of the selection panel since 2011 and was appointed as chief selector in 2016.

The tenure of Nannu-led the three-member selection committee officially ended on December 31, 2023, but the BCB extended their tenure temporarily.

Former national skipper, team manager and BCB director Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, who also served as the Chairman of BCBs Cricket Operations and Member Secretary of the BPL Governing Council, has been named the new chief selector for the National Mens Cricket team.

"The selection of the Chief Selector was a critical issue and it took time to reach a decision," revealed Papon. "After considering various factors, we have selected Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu."

Additionally, former national captain Habibul Bashar was removed from the selection panel and former opener and Under-19 team selector Hannan Sarker was appointed as his replacement. Abdur Razzaq will continue as the third member of the panel.

In addition to these key decisions, the board also finalized the list of 21 players for the central contracts.

Players for central contract:
Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shoriful Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Hoque Shawrab, Taijul Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Naeem Hasan, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Tawhid Hridoy, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.