A hamstring injury has ruled Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto out of the rest of the Asia Cup, ss Bangladesh bring in Litton Das in Lahore.
Litton, who missed the start of the Asia Cup with an illness, linked up with the team in Lahore a couple of days ago, already been reach in Lahore.
The BCB said that Shanto would be brought back home to begin his rehabilitation, with an eye on getting him fit in time for the ODI World Cup, which starts October 5. He will be replaced by Litton Das, who was omitted from the original squad following a bout of ill health, had flown into Lahore on Tuesday morning to join the team.
Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said that Shanto picked up the injury during his century against Afghanistan earlier this week - he did appear to be struggling in the latter part of his innings. Shanto continued to bat until he got out for 104, but didn’t come out to field during the Afghanistan innings.
“The player had complained of hamstring pain during batting and could not field. We had an MRI scan done confirming a muscle tear,” the physio 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 is the Asia Cup’s leading run-scorer at this stage, having made 89 in the first game against Sri Lanka before the century against Afghanistan, totalling 193 runs.
Litton is likely to open the innings, and that might force Bangladesh to tweak their batting order, since they have so far opened with Mohammad Naim and one of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzid Hasan, and Shanto had batted at No. 3, his usual position, against Sri Lanka and No. 4 against Afghanistan.
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The Tigers though lost the first game to Sri Lanka by five wickets, ensured qualification for the Super Four stages following the 89-run win over Afghanistan in their last group match in Lahore on Sunday.
“The Asia Cup squad has a few injury concerns and the team management felt the need for an additional player going into the Super Four. We have received the BCB Medical Team's clearance regarding Litton’s health and have decided to send him to Pakistan,” chief selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu said.
It is not sure whether the opener will play straight the opening game of the Super Four for Bangladesh. Liton was initially ruled out of the tournament and Anamul Haque Bijoy replaced him.
Bijoy however didn't play any of the two group matches of Bangladesh, which opened with debutant Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Naim Sheikh in the match against Sri Lanka.
Tanzid had to sit out in the next match against Afghanistan as Bangladesh sent Mehidy Hasan Miraz as a makeshift opener along with Naim Sheikh.
Miraz played a match winning 112 runs against Afghanistan in that match to spark the debate that whether he should open against Pakistan too in the Super Four match.