Dhaka, Nov. 10 -- Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said he is returning to leadership with "clarity and full independence" as Bangladesh prepare to face Ireland in Sylhet on Tuesday.

Bangladesh played their last match five months ago against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Najmul, who had stepped down from captaincy during the Sri Lanka tour in June, was persuaded by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to continue leading the red-ball side through 2027.

"I spent those months away from captaincy in a relaxed way and enjoyed that time," he told reporters in Sylhet.

"But when the board spoke to me, I felt that Bangladesh cricket is bigger than me as an individual. I had to think about what the team needed, not just what I wanted," he a...