Shanto ruled out of Asian Games with illness

Najmul Hossain Shanto has been withdrawn from Bangladesh’s Asian Games campaign after suffering a persistent low‑grade fever since the team arrived in Nagoya. National physio Bayjedul Islam Khan confirmed that Shanto had been unwell for four days and that medical tests detected signs of infection, despite negative results for influenza and COVID‑19. The batter, described as “very weak,” will fly back to Dhaka on Tuesday and is not expected to recover in time to play any part in the tournament.

Bangladesh were directly seeded into the quarter‑finals and face Malaysia on September 29, a rematch of their tight two‑run win at the same stage three years ago. India and Pakistan have already secured semi‑final spots, while the winners of Bangladesh‑Malaysia and Sri Lanka‑Nepal will complete the final four. Shanto’s absence removes a key figure from Bangladesh’s lineup at a moment when knockout stakes are highest.