Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto is the captain they need on and off the field in Australia. His batting form and pragmatic leadership have been crucial in Bangladesh's progress as a Test team in recent years. With injuries to key players disrupting their plans, Shanto's leadership and batting prowess will be at the forefront of Bangladesh's efforts in Australia. Shanto's aggressive style of play and ability to temper it due to top-order frailties make him a valuable asset. However, the team's overall batting will hinge on his good form, as evidenced by their collapse in the practice match against Cricket Australia XI.
The team's batting woes are further complicated by the lack of a settled opening pair, with Bangladesh regularly moving around five pairs of openers in the last three years. Shanto has had to do some firefighting in cahoots with Mominul Haque against the new ball before he can do his regular job as a No. 4. But with Litton Das' return providing reliability behind the stumps and boosting the middle order, Bangladesh can rely on Shanto's leadership and batting in Australia.
Shanto's leadership qualities are evident in his involvement in man-management off the field, keeping track of his team-mates' fitness and well-being. As a captain, he has become more responsible and mature, setting examples by performing in tough moments. His leadership is visibly different from that of previous Bangladesh captains, and he has impressed his team-mates with his quick thinking and communication skills.
In the home series against Pakistan earlier this year, Shanto's aggressive intent as a batter and captain came to the fore. He used the fast bowlers smartly and got the BCB to prepare pitches that had pace and bounce, taking Pakistan by surprise. His second-innings declaration against Pakistan with a lead of just 267 was particularly impressive, as he attacked Pakistan with both pace and spin to get Bangladesh the result they wanted.
Shanto has also been clever in empowering the team's experienced base, backing Test specialists like Mominul and Taijul Islam while always supporting the veteran Mushfiqur. He has worked hard on his own batting, especially against deliveries that are close to the off stump, and his leadership and batting prowess will be crucial in Bangladesh's efforts in Australia.
However, the task in Australia will be huge for Shanto, as he is without his most in-form fast bowler, Nahid Rana, and is likely to get very little out of the left-arm quick Shoriful Islam, who is currently nursing an injury. Despite the challenges, Shanto has been part of teams that have turned things around from tough corners, and his leadership and batting prowess will be crucial in Bangladesh's efforts in Australia.
