Hathurasingha endorses Najmul Hossain Shanto for long-term captaincy

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said on Sunday that stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain had given enough evidence to take up the leadership role on a long-term basis. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh earned their maiden ODI and T20I wins against New Zealand away from home. Before arriving for this white-ball tour, Shanto also displayed Test captaincy prowess as his team beat New Zealand back home in Sylhet.

With Shakib Al Hasan's long-term availability in question, BCB are likely to look for a permanent option at the helm. In that regard, Shanto appears to have seized the opportunity that has come his way.

"I think they (BCB) will strongly think about that (long term captaincy). Of course it's a board decision and Shanto has shown enough evidence for them to take him seriously," Hathurusingha said after the lastT20I at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

Hathurusingha also talked up the positive attitude and environment in the Bangladesh dressing room under Shanto.

"I think the attitude of the players... this young group had no fear and want to compete in the middle. The other thing I thought - leadership of Shanto was outstanding. He was tactically spot on and very clear with the messages to the players and what he expects from them," he added.

"I think the environment in the dressing room is much better because the communication is very clear, as I said, from Shanto. And they know they are good enough players to compete and I think that's why there is no fear in the players' mind," he added.

Hathurusingha said that he was impressed with the way Shoriful Islam made a mark across formats in the recent past, while adding that leg spinner Rishad Hossain had shown potential in white-ball cricket. With no Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain, the onus was on Shoriful to lead the pace bowling attack and he managed to deliver throughout the series.

"He (Shoriful) has been outstanding for us in all three formats recently. Eight months ago he was not in the team, he was not playing any formats, and now he is leading bowler for us so very impressive. Another positive is I think Rishad. We were craving for a leg spinner," he added," Hathurusingha said.