Bangladesh Batter Returns Home After Persistent Fever and Infection
Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of the Asian Games 2026 cricket competition after suffering from a persistent fever and being diagnosed with an infection. Shanto had been unwell since arriving in Nagoya and will return to Dhaka rather than taking part in Bangladesh’s campaign.
Bangladesh team physiotherapist Bayjedul Islam Khan confirmed that Shanto had been suffering from a low-grade fever for four days. Tests carried out in Nagoya found evidence of an infection, although the batter tested negative for both influenza and COVID-19.
The illness has left Shanto too weak to recover in time for the tournament. According to the Bangladesh team update, he is therefore returning home on Tuesday rather than remaining with the squad for the knockout stages of the Asian Games.
Shanto’s absence comes at an important stage for Bangladesh. The team was scheduled to face Malaysia in the men’s Asian Games quarter-final on September 29, with the winner progressing to the semi-finals. Bangladesh had been directly seeded into the quarter-final stage.
The batter had also been preparing to return to T20 international cricket after more than a year away from the format. His inclusion in the Asian Games squad was therefore an opportunity to regain experience in the shortest format, but the illness has prevented him from participating.
Bangladesh eventually advanced to the Asian Games semi-finals after the quarter-final against Malaysia was abandoned because of persistent rain. The higher-seeded Bangladesh side progressed without a ball being bowled and will face Pakistan in the semi-final.
Shanto’s absence will consequently be felt as Bangladesh prepares for the semi-final stage. The team will have to rely on its available batting resources for the remaining matches while Shanto focuses on his recovery after returning home.
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