Najmul Hossain Shanto is set for a new beginning when the Tigers face Ireland in the first Test of the two-match series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.

Shanto will return as a leader with renewed purpose.

After disagreements over the Bangladesh Cricket Board's 'three-captain policy', Shanto had stepped away from the role earlier this year.

Now, reinstated as Test skipper, he openly admitted that the system had made him uncomfortable. During the pre-match press conference yesterday, he was calm but honest.

"Yes, I did feel that way [about the three-captain system] at one point and there were sufficient reasons behind it," Shanto said, making it clear that he still values clarity and freedom in leadership.

The setting in Sylhet holds special meaning for him. It was here, in 2023, that he began his stint as Test captain and led Bangladesh to a memorable win against New Zealand on a sporting track.

Back then, everything seemed to click -- the conditions, the team spirit, and his own form. Later, he was even handed leadership in all three formats. But times have changed. The current squad features captains of all formats coming together again for this Test, creating a delicate situation for balance and authority.

Still, Shanto appears more assured this time. He shared that he had spoken with both T20I captain Litton Das and ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz about working together.

"We sat together and communicated about how to take our team forward in three formats and what areas we need to improve in. This communication has happened between the three of us. And all three of us are optimistic that we can take the team forward in the way the team needs," he explained.

Many inside sources have said that in his first term, Shanto was not always free to take the decisions he wanted. But he now feels more confident after recent talks with the BCB high-ups.

"I am convinced that the board will provide me with that help about things which were in my mind -- that maybe a problem could arise, or that the three-format system was not logical. But, when such senior cricketers or former cricketers of the board who are now present give a suggestion, they definitely think of good things. So, trusting that, I have returned," he said.

With the captaincy questions settled for now, attention turns to his batting. Shanto knows his team will look to him for stability at the crease. The last series in Sri Lanka, he struck tons in each innings of the first Test. One of the key reasons he was handed captaincy of all three formats in 2024 was his batting.

"As a batter, when you can score a ton in Test cricket, it always brings good feelings but the main focus would be how much I am contributing as a batter," he said.

The Sylhet pitch looks good for batting, though Shanto hinted at wanting a fair balance. "An instruction has been given on behalf of the team to the groundsmen. I hope that the wicket will be good, a sporting wicket is what I hope for," he added.

For Shanto, this Test is more than just a match--it's a chance to rebuild trust, lead with clarity.