Najmul Shanto, a cricket player from Bangladesh, has been disqualified from the Asian Games after contracting a fever while travelling to Nagoya with the team. Tests ruled out COVID-19 and influenza, but medical evaluation confirmed the presence of an infection. After an assessment by the local medical staff, BCB physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan, and the Bangladeshi contingent doctor, the decision was reached to remove him from the competition.
Najmul Shanto has been ruled out of the Asian Games
Najmul Shanto is taking the earliest flight back home on Tuesday. The medical staff concluded that he would not be able to compete in any more Games due to his health. The announcement is made on Tuesday, September 29, the eve of Bangladesh’s match versus Malaysia in Nisshin. According to a message from the Bangladesh Olympic Association, please be advised that our cricketer Nazmul Hussain Najmul Shanto is ill.
Following evaluation by the BCB physiotherapist, the Bangladeshi contingent doctor, and the local medical staff, it has been recommended that he be excluded from the Asian Games. He is taking the earliest flight back home tomorrow. The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) said in a statement to the media on Monday that CDM Bangladesh contingent Major Imroze Ahmed (retd) wished Najmul Shanto all the best and a speedy complete recovery, as well as safe transit to his destination.
Due to an abrasion prior to the start of the Asian Games, Najmul Shanto had missed both pre-tournament practice bouts in Mirpur. Bangladesh would be significantly absent at a crucial point in the campaign due to his departure. On September 2, 2026, the left-handed batter was invited back into the T20I team following a protracted hiatus from the format; his most recent T20I match was against the United Arab Emirates on May 19, 2025.
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Litton Das, the captain of Bangladesh, talked about how the weather will affect Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup with Malaysia. Two quarterfinals were already cancelled due to rain on Monday, which raised questions about the tournament schedule. We are powerless to stop the match from happening. The wicketkeeper-batter stated, “No one can control the rain.”
Das described the team’s strategy for the forthcoming game, stressing the significance of bowling power given the anticipated Nagoya conditions. He said that Bangladesh would prioritise their top bowlers and change the lineup as necessary. I believe the bowlers will have a beneficial wicket. The team may consist of five bowlers and seven hitters altogether, and we will attempt to play our best bowlers,” Das continued.
The team’s emphasis on adjusting to the tournament circumstances while handling Shanto’s absence from the squad was evident in the captain’s remarks.
