Bangladesh's Asia Cup campaign suffers a huge blow, top run scorer ruled out of tournament

Dhaka: Bangladesh's top run-getter from Asia Cup 2023 Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of the Asia Cup tournament with an injury.

Shanto was plagued with a left hamstring discomfort during his knock of 104 against Afghanistan in Lahore on September 3.

An MRI the next day confirmed a muscle tear and Shanto was advised rest by the BCB medical team to preserve him for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, which is just a month away, an ICC report said.

"The player had complained of hamstring pain during batting and could not field. We had an MRI scan done confirming a muscle tear," National Team Physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said.

"As a precaution, Shanto will not take any further part in the tournament and will be returning home

to start rehab and prepare for the World Cup," Khan said.

No replacement has been announced yet. However, the return of Litton Das after recovering from a fever will be a huge boost to the team.

Bangladesh have enjoyed mixed success in the Asia Cup so far. They started their campaign with a loss against Sri Lanka but followed that up with a big 89-run win over Afghanistan. With a good NRR to boast, the team is through to the Super Four stage.

Shanto has been Bangladesh's most prolific run-getter in the tournament. He was the top-scorer in the first match, a patient 89 against Sri Lanka giving his team something to bowl at. He followed that up with a brilliant century against Afghanistan, helping Bangladesh to their third-highest total in Men's ODIs.

Bangladesh are playing a preparatory three-match ODI series against New Zealand just before the World Cup. They begin their World Cup campaign on October 7 against Afghanistan in Dharamsala.

The Tigers are yet to announce their World Cup squad. (UNI)