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Bangladesh's top-order has taken a massive hit ahead of their Asia Cup 2023 Super Fours clash. Their in-form batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.
Shanto picked up the injury during his century knock against Afghanistan. He did not come out to the field in the clash where Bangladesh thrashed Afghanistan by a comfortable margin of 89 runs.
"The player had complained of hamstring pain during batting and could not field. We had an MRI scan done confirming a muscle tear," Bangladesh physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said in a statement. "As a precaution, Shanto will not take any further part in the tournament and will be returning home to start rehab and prepare for the World Cup."
Shanto has been in fine form in the Asia Cup. He scored a gritty 89 against defending champions Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on August 31 while other batters failed. Against Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, he shared a 215-run partnership for the third wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Litton Das has been named as Shanto's replacement for the rest of the tournament. He was named in the initial Asia Cup squad but had to fly back home due to illness.
Das’ return may lead to changes in Bangladesh’s top order. Tanzid Hasan was dropped after he registered a duck on ODI debut against Sri Lanka. He was replaced by Miraz in the next game and he made it count with a century. On the other hand, Mohammad Naim has got starts but not been able to convert them into big scores.
Bangladesh's updated Asia Cup squad: Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Anamul Haque (wicketkeeper), Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
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