Shanto to lead in NZ Tests as Liton granted leave

Dhaka, 18 Nov -Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh in the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand in absence of regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan and vice captain Liton Das.

Shakib was ruled out of the series with fractured finger, sustained during Bangladesh's World Cup match against Sri Lanka. Liton was granted a month's leave to be with his wife and new born baby.

Apart from Shakib and Liton, Bangladesh will also miss the service of Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain in the series.

"We asked Liton to play at least one Test but he kept insisting for a month's leave and so we agreed to grant him the leave so that he can spend time exclusively with his family," BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Jalal Younus said here today.

"You can't force anyone to play for the national team. The professionalism must come from the heart," Younus added, indicating they didn't like Liton's insistence.

Liton returned to country from India during the World Cup, something that BCB reportedly didn't like.

"In absence of Shakib and Liton, Shanto will lead the side for the two Tests against New Zealand," he said.

Younus informed that they will talk to Shakib Al Hasan later to know whether he will lead the team in the white-ball away series against New Zealand in December.

Before the World Cup, Shakib in an interview, said he won't stay as captain after the tournament though he didn't clear about the format from where he want to step down as captain.