In a significant setback for Bangladesh, top-order batter Najmul Hossain Shanto's journey in the Asia Cup 2023 has come to an abrupt end due to a hamstring injury.
Shanto, who had recently showcased his prowess by scoring a century against Afghanistan, will no longer be able to contribute to his team's campaign in the tournament.
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During Bangladesh's inaugural match in the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka, Shanto demonstrated his skill by amassing an impressive 89 runs. He followed this up with another stellar performance in the second match, achieving his second career century.
Shanto took to his social media platform to confirm the news, sharing the update with his followers. "My journey in the Asia Cup 2023 ends here," he expressed, accompanied by an emoji of a broken heart. "I am suffering from a muscle tear and will not further play in the tournament."
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Bayjedul Islam Khan, the physiotherapist of the national team, shed light on the situation, stating, "the player had complained of hamstring pain during batting and could not field. We had an MRI scan done confirming a muscle tear."
To ensure Shanto's well-being, the decision has been made for him to withdraw from the Asia Cup and return home for rehabilitation in preparation for the World Cup.
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Meanwhile, Litton Das, another top-order batter and wicketkeeper, has rejoined the team in Lahore. He had previously been unable to join the squad due to a fever but is now fully recovered, as confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).