"Litton has been granted leave for one month, he is not available for the two Tests. He wants to spend time with his new-born baby," Jalal Yunus, chairman of the BCB's cricket operations committee, said. "We had requested him to play at least the second Test match but he insisted on [being away for] the whole series. That's why we granted him leave. As a result, Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain the side in these two Tests."

Shanto has played 23 Tests so far, and averages 29.83 with four centuries, but hasn't led Bangladesh in the format prior to this. He has, however, captained them in three ODIs, including twice at the 2023 ODI World Cup when Shakib was out injured for the games against India and Australia.

Changes in Bangladesh coaching staff

Spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath and fielding coach Shane McDermott will continue in their capacities till the end of their contracts on November 30 and December 31, respectively. Chandika Hathurusinghe, meanwhile, will continue as head coach, though S Sriram, the technical consultant till the end of the World Cup, has left.