Najmul Hussain Shanto has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies due to a groin injury. The national team captain sustained the injury while fielding in the second match against Afghanistan. An MRI scan confirmed the extent of the injury, forcing him to miss not only the final match against Afghanistan but also the entire West Indies series.
Shanto was instrumental in Bangladesh's recent victory, scoring 76 runs off 119 balls to help secure the series. He also made a significant contribution in the first ODI, scoring 47 runs off 68 balls, keeping the team in contention until his departure led to a dramatic collapse, with Bangladesh losing 8 wickets for just 23 runs.
With Shanto sidelined, Mehdi Hasan Miraj is expected to step in as captain. The team management may also consider adding an extra batsman to compensate for Shanto's absence. Despite this setback, Bangladesh will be aiming to win the final match and clinch the series trophy. Afghanistan, however, will be determined to challenge them.
Historically, Bangladesh has a favourable record against Afghanistan, winning 11 out of 18 ODI matches. In bilateral series, the margin is narrower, with Bangladesh winning 6 out of 11 matches and Afghanistan taking the remaining 5. The current series stands at 2-1 in favour of Bangladesh, and Shanto's team will be eager to extend this lead.
