Najmul Hossain Shanto has been appointed captain of Rajshahi Warriors for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League season, the franchise confirmed on Monday, backing the Bangladesh Test skipper to lead a squad blending experience with youth.
The announcement was made through the club’s official Facebook page, where Rajshahi said Shanto would guide the team with confidence and discipline as they target success in this year’s tournament.
“Najmul Hossain Shanto has been selected as captain of Rajshahi Warriors,” the statement read. “Under his strong leadership, Rajshahi will move forward with confidence and discipline towards victory.”
Shanto, who was signed on a direct deal before the BPL auction, will captain a side that includes senior figures such as Mushfiqur Rahim and former Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Akbar Ali. Despite those options, the franchise has placed its trust in Shanto’s leadership credentials, shaped by his current role as Bangladesh’s Test captain.
Rajshahi Warriors will hope that Shanto’s calm approach and growing stature at international level translate into consistency in the shorter format, as they look to establish themselves as contenders in the competition.
Rajshahi Warriors squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Akbar Ali, Ripon Mondol, Jisan Alam, Hasan Murad, Abdul Gaffar Saklain, SM Meherob Hossain, Rabiul Islam, Wasi Siddiquee, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakhair H Shubhra, Mohammad Rubel, Dushan Hemantha, Jahandad Khan, Jimmy Neesham.
