Asia Cup 2023: Najmul Hossain Shanto ruled out with hamstring injury

Najmul Hossain Shanto. (Photo Source:SHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 with a hamstring injury. Veteran batter Litton Das is set to replace him in the squad.

The team has had a rocky start to the ongoing tournament, as they lost their first game against Sri Lanka. However, Shakib Al Hasan and co. managed to overwhelm Afghanistan in the second game and make it to the Super Four.

However, with the qualification came several injuries and with players like Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Mustafizur Rahman not available, things have gone from bad to worse for Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Shanto injured his hamstring against Afghanistan. It is worth noting that Shanto and Mehidy Hasan were crucial players for Bangladesh in their recent win against Afghanistan.

Shanto scored 104 runs in 105 deliveries, whereas Hasan amassed 112 runs in 119 deliveries before he was retired hurt due to the several finger cramps that he sustained. Their knocks helped Bangladesh post 334 runs on the board in the first innings and successfully defended the target, defeating Afghanistan by 89 runs. They compensated for their loss against Sri Lanka and progressed further into the tournament.

Seeing the amount of injuries in Bangladesh’s camp currently, their plans for the Super Four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 could be heavily derailed. However, they would hope that the addition of Litton could compensate for the loss of Shanto. Litton was ruled out of the initial stages of the Asia Cup 2023 due to illness. However, he recently got clearance from the medical staff and will be joining up with the squad.

Najmul Hossain Shanto is out of #AsiaCup2023 with a hamstring injury. Right move with the World Cup so near. Litton Das is replacing him in the squad.#PAKvBAN

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) September 5, 2023