AFG vs BAN: Najmul Hossain Shanto to miss third ODI due to groin injury

The ongoing three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh is poised at 1-1 with the decider scheduled to be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on November 11. Ahead of the crucial game, Bangladesh have dealt a huge blow as their skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto will miss the third ODI as he has sustained a groin injury.

During the second ODI against Afghanistan on November 9, Shanto suffered an injury while fielding. He was subsequently taken for scans, revealing that the southpaw’s groin injury made him unavailable for the game as he would not recover in time. The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) chief selector, Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu confirmed the same.

"Shanto won't play in the third ODI due to injury," chief selector Gazi Ashraf told The Daily Star. 

To be very honest I'm not happy: Shanto

Before the injury, he won the Toss for Bangladesh in the second ODI and contributed a crucial 76 runs off 119 balls with the bat. He smashed six boundaries and one maximum during his stay at the crease. The Bangla Tigers went on to post a target of 253 runs and bundled out Afghanistan for just 184 runs. Nasum Ahmed picked three wickets, whereas, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets each.

Also Read: Bangladesh appoint Mohammad Salahuddin as new assistant coach

“Feel little better but still there is something (fitness issue?). Have to wait till next match. To be very honest I'm not happy. Probably I have to bat a bit longer because the wicket was difficult against spin. The way Miraz and Nasum bowled - credit to them. And the way we started with the new ball - Taskin taking Gurbaz. He's an important batter. The way they finished, we got the momentum. That's what I want from Jaker and the lower middle order,” said Shanto after the game.