Felt I should prioritize Bangladesh cricket over myself: Shanto

Bangladesh's Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said on Monday that he decided to change his mind and lead the Test squad as he felt country is bigger than an individual.

Cricbuzz earlier reported that Najmul was reluctant to return as Test captain after resigning from his post following the Test series against Sri Lanka but later changed his mind after having a discussion with former BCB chairman and current vice-president of the board Faruque Ahmed. Apart from Faruque, current national team director Abdur Razzak also played a big part in changing his mind.

Najmul admitted the fact ahead of the Test series against Ireland, scheduled at Sylhet from November 11, as he agreed to lead the side again until the end of the ICC Test Championship cycle.

"When such senior officials and former cricketers of the Bangladesh Cricket Board are giving advice, it is definitely for the good of the team and for my own good as well. So, I completely respected that conversation," Najmul told reporters at Sylhet on Monday.

"And if I say it in a word, I felt that I should prioritize the Bangladesh cricket team over myself as an individual. So, I put the team first and came back to this decision," he said.

"I wasn't the captain for a few days in the middle [of my captaincy tenure]. I enjoyed that time; it was a good time," he said.

"The reason [for stepping down before] I have said before. But I felt that the Cricket Board communicated with me in a very nice way. Then, there were good and healthy conversations with everyone. At one point, I felt that Bangladesh cricket is much bigger than me, as an individual. And the needs of the Bangladesh team are a greater concern than my own thoughts," he said.

"I didn't actually say much about any 'problems.' But as I said, there was a nice, healthy conversation with the Cricket Board. We discussed how we can collectively handle the problems that might arise-or are already happening-and how to prevent those problems from happening at all," he said.

"We were all positive from our respective places on these issues. I hope that the team will move forward in a very positive way in the future, and I believe that the Cricket Board will fully support me in that regard," he added.

Najmul, who was against a policy of captaincy across formats, moved on from opposing it explained the reason to lead the Test side with Mehidy Hasan and Litton Das leading ODI and T20I squads respectively.

"Yes, I did feel that way [about the three-captain system] at one point, and there were sufficient reasons behind it. But, as I just said, there was a very healthy conversation with the Cricket Board-a good conversation about what problems could arise, how to resolve them, and how to prevent them from happening in the first place. We are very clear on those issues," said Najmul.

"And I am absolutely optimistic that no such problems will occur. As I said, I had good communication with the Cricket Board. If these issues come up, they will be there to help and try to solve the problems. More importantly, the understanding among the other two captains is very good. We sat together and communicated about how to take our team forward in the three formats and what areas we need to improve in. This communication has taken place among the three of us," he added.

"All three of us are optimistic that we can take the team forward in the way the team needs. So, there is no communication gap here. And the reason I am convinced is that the Cricket Board will provide me with the support I had in mind-regarding concerns that problems could arise or that the three-format system was not logical, as I had said before. But, as I said, when such senior or former cricketers of the Cricket Board-who are now in positions of responsibility-give a suggestion, they definitely mean well. So, trusting that, I have returned, and I feel that something good will happen in the future," he concluded.

Najmul said the team is enjoying working under national team's senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin, who is currently serving his notice period after resigning from his Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) role, citing family reasons.

It has been learned that the BCB has not yet accepted his resignation letter and plans to hold further discussions with Salahuddin.

The issue came up during Shanto's pre-match press conference at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

"Well, that is totally his personal decision - what he initially thought and what he did and secondly I don't really have any idea how much communication he had with the Cricket Board on this matter. So, the Cricket Board and Salahuddin sir himself can say what kind of conversations they had or what the situation is," he said.

"Yes, I personally had a conversation with him. I hope that the Cricket Board and he will have a good conversation in the future," he said.

In the recent past, Salahuddin was accused of favouritism, though Najmul begs to differ.

"I hope for that. But as much as he has worked until now, I have enjoyed it very much. And the most important thing is that Sir tries to treat every cricketer equally and gives every cricketer priority according to their ability and their shortcomings," Shanto said.

"But often there are gaps, or many outside people might feel that there is bias, which we normally hear. But I will say that not everything is true. As cricketers, we were all happy. I have enjoyed the series I was in recently, and I believe he worked very well in every opportunity he got," he added.