Shanto ruled out of Asian Games with fever

Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of the Asian Games after a persistent fever kept him from recovering in time to take part in the tournament.

Shanto has been suffering from fever since arriving in Nagoya with the Bangladesh team four days ago. According to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, medical tests conducted in Japan have confirmed evidence of infection.

Team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan said Shanto had continued to experience a low-grade fever and had become physically weak despite receiving medical attention.

"He is understandably very weak and is not expected to recover in time to play any part in the Asian Games," Bayjedul said.

Shanto has tested negative for both influenza and COVID-19, but the confirmed infection has ruled him out of Bangladesh's campaign.

He is scheduled to leave Japan for Dhaka on Tuesday.

Shanto's absence is a setback for Bangladesh ahead of their men's cricket quarter-final against Malaysia on Tuesday. He was part of the squad that travelled to Japan for the Asian Games, but his illness means he will now miss the knockout stage of the competition.

Bangladesh entered the cricket event directly in the quarter-finals as one of the four top-ranked Test-playing nations. They will face Malaysia for a place in the semi-finals.
The BCB has not announced any replacement for Shanto at this stage.