Bangladesh’s explosive opening batter Litton Das has been ruled out of the Asia Cup, due to viral fever. The Bangladesh Cricket Board said Litton had been unable to travel, due to health issues. Anamul Haque Bijoy will be replacing the explosive opening batter for the upcoming continental tournament that is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Bangladesh set to play their first match of the tournament against Sri Lanka on August 31 at the Pallekele International Stadium, the team has opted to seek a replacement. He was not part of the squad that departed for the tournament as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) due to his illness.
Due to Litton’s unavailability, we needed a top-order batter who could keep wicket, and Anamul got the nod: Minhajul Abedin
BCB’s Cricket Operations Committee chairman, Jalal Yunus, had already stated that a replacement for Litton if he fails to make it to the squad. He said, “Liton is suffering from fever. He tested negative for Dengue. So if he recovers early, he will take the next flight to Sri Lanka. But if he does not recover, then we may have to think about a replacement.”
BCB’s National Selection Panel, Minhajul Abedin, said: “He (Anamul) has been in the runs in domestic cricket, and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers program. He was always in our consideration. Due to Litton’s unavailability, we needed a top-order batter who could keep wicket, and Anamul got the nod.”
The Bangla Tigers are already without their experienced batter Tamim Iqbal, for the major event, with the youngster Tanzid Tamim as his replacement and is another option in the top order. The 30-year-old opener has played 41 ODIs and has scored 1254 runs at an average of 30.54 and a strike rate of 74.16. His last appearance for Bangladesh came during the third ODI against India at Chattogram in December 2022.
Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup
Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy
Here’s how fans reacted
What's happening ?
— Sports Fan (@crazyforsports7) August 30, 2023
Big blow to #Bangladesh
— Mohammad Nawaj (@NawazJ78) August 30, 2023
be bakaa!! Ye to kafi achchha khelta thai Bangladesh ke liye.. Kya hua ise?
— Zalak Kansara ?? ?? (@amdavadiZalak) August 30, 2023
big loss for Bangladesh
— A??? (@inevitable__31) August 30, 2023
SL Bangladesh ke most players injured hi hai
— ??????? (@Oyye_Senpai) August 30, 2023
Injury injury everywhere ???
— krishnamoorthy (@krishna99123) August 30, 2023
Why??
— CHIRAG TALWAR (@Chiragtalwar23) August 30, 2023
Abee Yaar
Ind vs pak final
— Saurav (@saurav_viratian) August 30, 2023
