- July 14, 2025
Big news! Former T20 captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won’t feature in Bangladesh’s T20I squad against Sri Lanka. It is an enormous upheaval that is getting the fans talking. So, where is this coming from, and what does it mean for Najmul and the team? Let’s find out!
Santo’s Struggles and the Weight of Captaincy
The recent phase of Najmul Hossain Shanto’s T20 career has been marked by ups and downs. He took up the captaincy with a lot of excitement but seemed to become heavy with the burden of captaincy. His batting form lately in T20Is has been very minimal, leading to discussions about his involvement in the side. Don’t forget, before the recent T20s, he dropped down from being the T20 captain to “concentrate on his batting”, but even in that reset, he was unable to generate any momentum towards up to performance levels that many fans would have hoped for. While he may not have known it at the time, the selectors have been observing and running; now he will be dropped to allow him the chance to regenerate form without the pressures of performing at the International level. The best path forward can sometimes mean taking a step backward.
Fresh Faces and Familiar Names Making a Comeback
Even as Shanto’s absence cuts me deep, at least the squad announcement is a form of excitement. Mohammad Saifuddin, the all-rounder who was out for a year, has returned, threatening to make Bangladesh more balanced for these matches. And pace options returning include Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, and Nasum Ahmed. This squad clearly shows that Bangladesh will still try to find a balance of the players they see as both experience-filled and full of habitual fire against Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. As if the selectors are saying, “Let’s add some chaos to the mix but keep solid armament in our corner.” Selections have become competitive these days, as some of the names from the previous Pakistan series – Soumya Sarkar and Hasan Mahmud – have dropped out this time. This shows how competitive and performance-based squad selection has become.
What’s Next for Najmul? A Chance to Rebuild
Getting dropped is not the worst thing. For someone like Najmul Hossain Shanto, it could be the best opportunity to hit reset. There are plenty of examples of cricketers who have gone quietly off the radar, but when they eventually get the opportunity when the domestic cricket season starts up, they take their opportunity and hit the ground running. There is no denying Najmul’s quality, with some suggesting he has technical and temperament qualities across all formats. It simply just needs the time and freedom, and without the self-imposed pressure and expectations of being captain or thinking of what the public may or may not think. It is an opportunity for Najmul to test his mental toughness and adaptability. Fans should have patience; it is not said too often, but one of cricket’s best comeback stories can often start from moments like this.
It may feel cruel to get rid of Najmul Hossain Shanto, but sometimes the best cure for a player is to take a break. With a little bit of transfusion of new players, and with the Sri Lanka series right around the corner, Bangladesh cricket is feeling optimistic! Now the only question is, can Najmul use this setback to springboard himself back or will the pressure continue to pile up? Regardless of it all, the cricketing drama isn’t finished yet!
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