Bangladesh`s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, will not play in the final ODI of the series against Afghanistan in Sharjah due to a groin injury.
The decisive match will take place today, Monday, November 11, and Bangladesh will have to face Afghanistan without their leader.
Both teams have won one match each in the first two games, making the final match crucial.
Shanto was key to Bangladesh’s victory in the second game, scoring a solid 76 runs from 119 balls.
He had also led from the front in the first match, contributing 47 runs from 68 balls.
Unfortunately, during the second match, Shanto suffered a groin injury.
He had an MRI yesterday, and today the results confirmed that the injury is serious.
As a result, Shanto will not be available for the last game. In his place, vice-captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz will take over the leadership role.
Bangladesh is eager to win the final match and return home with the series trophy, but Afghanistan will be determined not to make it easy.
Bangladesh has a strong record against Afghanistan in ODIs, winning 11 of their 18 encounters.
However, when it comes to bilateral series, the competition has been closer.
Bangladesh has won 6 out of 11 series against Afghanistan, while Afghanistan has won 5.
The overall series record is in Bangladesh’s favor, but just by a narrow margin of 2-1. Now, with Shanto absent, Bangladesh will be hoping to seal the series win and extend their advantage.
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