Bangladesh star batter Litton Das, who was unable to travel to Sri Lanka with the Asia Cup squad due to a viral infection, has been ruled out of the tournament because he has not fully recovered. Anamul Haque Bijoy has been selected by the BCB's National Selection Panel as Litton's replacement.

Earlier, it was known that Litton would join before the second match by flying directly to Pakistan. But now he’s ruled out of the whole tournament.

Originally, the team flew to the Asia Cup on August 27. Litton could not go with the team on the first day due to a fever. He was supposed to go to Sri Lanka the next day. However, he did not go even that day due to an increased fever.

There was concern whether Litton would be able to play in the Asia Cup. Saif Hassan who was on standby was called as his replacement but he was suffering from physical illness and fever also. Because of which BCB had to drop Saif from the options. However, the name of Zakir Hasan was discussed. It was thought that if Litton's condition did not improve eventually, Zakir would go to play in the tournament. But Bijoy got the nod as an experienced player who can keep wicket also.

Chairman of the National Selection Panel Minhajul Abedin Nannu said, “He (Bijoy) has been in the runs in domestic cricket and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers programme. 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.”

Anamul Haque has accumulated 1254 runs in 44 ODIs, including three centuries. His last ODI appearance for Bangladesh was against India in December of last year. He is expected to appear in Sri Lanka later today to join the Bangladesh team.

Earlier, pacer Ebadot Hossain was also ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Uncapped Tanzim Hasan Sakib joined the team as replacement. 

Bangladesh Asia Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Naim Sheikh, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib