Asia Cup 2023's highest run-scorer Najmul Hossain Shanto ruled out of the tournament

Najmul Hossain Shanto ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 after suffering a hamstring injury.

Asia Cup 2023 has reached the next stage, and the teams will play in the Super Four, where four out of six teams will compete and two will qualify for the finals. Pakistan and India have qualified from Group A, while Nepal have been eliminated. But Group B has been more competitive, as the game between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on Tuesday will decide which two teams qualify for the next round.

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in the first game by five wickets and have a great chance. However, Bangladesh also beat Afghanistan in the second game by 89 runs, which made their chances stronger. But if Afghanistan can beat Sri Lanka in the sixth game by a big margin, then they can qualify. But it looked pretty difficult.

Najmul Hossain Shanto ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023

Though it totally depends on the game between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan whether Bangladesh will qualify or not, but before the start of the Super Four, Bangladesh suffered a huge setback as their star batter, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who is also the highest run-scorer in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, has been ruled out. This has come as a huge blow to them.

Shanto played two brilliant innings for his team in both games. He scored a hard-fought 89 against Sri Lanka and followed it up with his second ODI ton, making 104 against Afghanistan. He has scored 195 runs in two games at an average of 96.50. It will be a big hole to fill for Bangladesh.

But there is also positive news for Bangladeshi fans, as star batter Litton Das is all set to join the team before the start of the Super Four. Das didn't travel to Sri Lanka after suffering from viral fever but has now recovered completely and is all set to go. His inclusion will surely provide the team with huge confidence, as Das has been the leading scorer for them across formats in the last 12 months or so.