Shanto to lead Tigers in New Zealand Tests

Bangladesh on Saturday said batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto would lead the country in the two-Test series against New Zealand beginning later this month, report agencies.
Najmul was given the charge as regular captain Shakib Al Hasan was injured during the World Cup in India, and his deputy, Liton Das, requested a break to be with his newborn daughter.
"Liton asked for a month's leave. He won't play two Tests... he wants to spend this month exclusively with his family," Bangladesh Cricket Board's cricket operations chief, Jalal Yunus, told reporters in Dhaka.
"Najmul Hossain is captain for the next two Tests," he said.
Najmul was named vice captain of the one-day international side before the World Cup, and led the side in two matches in the tournament in Shakib's absence.
He also led Bangladesh in the third and final one-day match against New Zealand in September, in the absence of Shakib and Liton.

New Zealand beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the ODI series, the side's first series win in Bangladesh in 15 years.
New Zealand's Test squad will arrive in Bangladesh on Monday, and the first Test will be held in Sylhet from November 28 to December 02.
Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium will host the second Test from December 6-10.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, set to kick off at home later this month.
Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the Bangladesh team in this series, marking his appointment as Bangladesh's 13th Test captain.
The first match of the series is scheduled to take place in Sylhet on November 28.
This series is part of the ICC Test Championship 2023-25, marking the commencement of the new cycle in Bangladesh.
Left-arm spinner Hasan Morad has earned his first call-up to the Test squad. The 22-year-old has made an impressive start to his first-class career, securing 121 wickets from 25 matches since his debut for Chattogram Division in 2021.
Fellow Chattogram Division top-order batsman Shahadat Hossain Dipu and pace bowler Hasan Mahmud are the other uncapped players included in the squad.
Shakib Al Hasan, the regular Test captain, is missing this series due to a finger injury. Litton Das, his deputy, is also on leave for a month.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Hasan Morad.