The BCB said that Shanto would be brought back home to begin his rehabilitation, with an eye on getting him fit in time for the ODI World Cup, which starts October 5. He will be replaced by Litton Das, who was omitted from the original squad following a bout of ill health, had flown into Lahore on Tuesday morning to join the team.
Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan said that Shanto picked up the injury during his century against Afghanistan earlier this week – he did appear to be struggling in the latter part of his innings. Shanto continued to bat until he got out for 104, but didn’t come out to field during the Afghanistan innings.
“The player had complained of hamstring pain during batting and could not field. We had an MRI scan done confirming a muscle tear,” the physio said in a statement. “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.”
Shanto is the Asia Cup’s leading run-scorer at this stage, having made 89 in the first game against Sri Lanka before the century against Afghanistan, totalling 193 runs.
Litton is likely to open the innings, and that might force Bangladesh to tweak their batting order, since they have so far opened with Mohammad Naim and one of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzid Hasan, and Shanto had batted at No. 3, his usual position, against Sri Lanka and No. 4 against Afghanistan.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo