Najmul Hossain Shanto ruled out of Asian Games with fever

Najmul Hossain Shanto ruled out of Asian Games

• Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto (28) has been ruled out of the Asian Games after a fever that began during his flight.
• He will return home on 29 September and will not be available for the Games’ final.
• The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) confirmed the decision after assessment by the contingent doctor, BCB physiotherapist, and local medical team.
• Blood tests revealed infectious agents but viral tests (influenza, COVID‑19) were negative. Shanto remains weak and unlikely to recover in time for the one‑off Test against Afghanistan on 9 October.

Team updates

• Litton Das, Bangladesh captain, noted that the Japanese conditions favor bowlers. The squad is preparing a bowling‑heavy lineup (five bowlers, six batsmen) for the quarter‑final against Malaysia.
• Rain disrupted training; the team practiced on a football field on Monday.
• Two matches were abandoned on Monday. If the Bangladesh‑Malaysia match is also abandoned, Bangladesh would advance to the semi‑final against Pakistan by virtue of a higher ICC ranking.
• Das emphasized focusing on the upcoming match: “Let us play the first match and win it and then we will think about the rest.”