Shanto ruled out of Asian Games due to illness

Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of the ongoing Asian Games, the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) said on Monday. The fever-stricken 28-year-old is scheduled to return home on September 29. Cricbuzz is aware that Test captain Najmul is returning because the board didn't want to risk playing him before the one-off Test against Afghanistan, which is scheduled to start on October 9; therefore, the team has decided to keep him in place.

"After assessment by the Bangladesh contingent doctor, BCB physiotherapist and the local medical team, it was advised that Shanto be ruled out of the Games," the BOA said in a statement.

After being selected for the Asian Games, Shanto had been absent from the T20I squad for nearly 16 months. However, on Monday morning, September 28, he began to feel unwell and was promptly admitted to the hospital. He did not participate in the scheduled practice that the team had later that day.

"Najmul Hossain Shanto has been suffering from a fever ever since returning from his flight. In fact, the flight itself was the beginning of the fever. Right now, the fever is still fluctuating - it is a low-grade fever. His current condition has made his body quite weak. Since today marks the fourth day, we conducted blood tests for him, and the test results have come in. There are some infectious agents present in his system," BCB's physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said in a statement.

However, he tested negative for both influenza and COVID-19, and tests for viral infections came back negative. So, in the end, it won't be possible for him to recover in time for the final because he still has a fever after four days and his body is so weak. Therefore, we believe he won't be available until the final. That is why he is being sent back home," added Bayjedul.

In the meantime, Litton Das, captain of Bangladesh, is of the opinion that the conditions in Japan may encourage his team to field a bowling-heavy lineup against Malaysia on Tuesday in the Asian Games quarterfinal. Rain delayed Bangladesh's preparations, necessitating Monday's practice on a football field.

"I think the wicket favours the bowlers. After Monday's practice, Litton told reporters, "We will try to play with our best bowlers and keep the overall team of five bowlers and six batsmen."

Litton said the team were not looking beyond their opening match despite the possibility of further rain affecting the tournament schedule. On Monday, two matches were abandoned, and Bangladesh would advance to the semi-final against Pakistan due to their higher ICC ranking if the match against Malaysia was also abandoned.

"We are currently focused on the match tomorrow. And there will be nothing we can do if it is abandoned. He stated, "As I stated earlier, no one can control the rain." "Let us win the first match, and we'll think about the rest after that."