Shanto ready to bat at any position in Test series vs Lanka

As Bangladesh embark on their new World Test Championship (WTC) journey with a two-Test series in Sri Lanka, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto isn’t just concerned about who walks out to open the innings. Instead, he’s focused on long-term growth, leadership continuity and building a team that can punch above their weight in red-ball cricket.

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While chatter has revolved around Shanto potentially opening in the Galle Test starting June 17 - after he did so in the recent practice game - the 25-year-old captain brushed past the positional debate with calm assurance.

“You will get an idea what we are thinking once we get into the first Test,” Shanto was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying. “We also have four fast bowlers and four spinners. We have tried to balance the attack... I am prepared to bat in any position.”

His comment signalled a shift in leadership approach - not reactive, but strategic. Shanto is not merely plugging short-term gaps but thinking of how to lead a side that has often lacked consistency and clarity in the longer format.