Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was yesterday named the new captain of the national Test team and will replace Mushfiqur Rahim, the country's most successful Test captain, when Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka in January 2018. The decision was reached in a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) directors' meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday and announced by BCB president Nazmul Hassan. Mahmudullah Riyad was named Shakib's deputy and will take over vice-captaincy duties from Tamim Iqbal.

Mushfiqur led the country in 34 Tests from October 2011 and under his stewardship Bangladesh won seven Tests, lost 18 and drew nine. It will be Shakib's second Test captaincy stint after having been captain for nine Tests from July 2009 to August 2011. Bangladesh won one and lost eight of those nine Tests.

The changes come after Chandika Hathurusingha, head coach of the cricket team from July 2014 to October 2017, tendered his resignation midway through the recent South Africa tour. Bangladesh lost all seven international matches on the ill-fated tour.

The BCB is also currently looking for a coach and it is unlikely that one will be appointed in time for the series against Sri Lanka, which will be lent additional spice after Hathurusingha was appointed their head coach last week.