Najmul Hossain Shanto ruled out of Asian Games due to illness
Najmul Hossain Shanto last played a T20I more than a year ago • AFP/Getty Images
Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of their Asian Games campaign due to fever and infections. According to the team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan, Shanto has been suffering from fever since his arrival in Nagoya for the men's cricket competition. Shanto will need time to recover and will return to Dhaka on Tuesday.
"Shanto had fever since his flight from Dhaka," Bayjedul said. "It is a low-grade fever, but it has been going up and down till now. Fever has made him weak. He has undergone a blood test as it is now four days for the fever. He has some infection agents in his body, but otherwise he is negative for influenza and Covid-19.
"He won't be able to recover in time for the end of the competition, so he won't be available for the entire event. That's why we are sending him home."
Shanto had returned to the T20I squad after last playing in the format more than a year ago. His absence will be a blow for Bangladesh, who take on Malaysia in the fourth quarter-final in Nisshin on Tuesday.
Shanto, however, will be brought home to recover in time to lead Bangladesh in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, which will begin on October 9.
Mohammad Isam is Cricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
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