Najmul Silent on Captaincy Resignation Rumors

Speaking to reporters at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo ahead of the second and final Test, he said he remained focused on the immediate task at hand, brushing aside questions about his potential resignation.

“There’s a lot of talk going on, as always,” he said with a smile. “But I don’t want to comment on that now. As captain and as a batter, my focus is to finish this Test well.”

Speculation about Najmul’s intent to quit the Test captaincy intensified after his abrupt removal as ODI captain earlier this month.

According to insiders, he was caught off guard by the board’s decision, especially after being reassured that he would continue leading both the Test and ODI sides.

In response, Najmul reportedly told BCB officials he was willing to step down from the Test captaincy too, citing discomfort with having three different captains in the same dressing room.

However, on Monday, he made no mention of such discussions.

“I haven’t made any decision, and I haven’t spoken to the board about it,” he said, adding that such speculation during a series was unhelpful. “These kinds of conversations should not happen in the middle of an important Test. The sooner they stop the better.”

Najmul also defended his leadership in the drawn Galle Test, especially over the timing of Bangladesh’s declaration.

Critics had accused him and Mushfiqur Rahim of delaying the decision in pursuit of personal milestones, a claim he strongly refuted.

“No one in our dressing room plays for individual records,” he said. “We made the call based on conditions and discussions with the coaches.”

With Mehidy Hasan Miraz likely to return to the XI after recovering from illness, Najmul said the team was looking to build on their solid performance in Galle.

“We finished the first Test strongly, and we want to carry that momentum into Colombo,” the Bangladesh captain added. The second Test begins on Wednesday, reports UNB.