According to reports, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh’s top-order batsman, would miss the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka at Pallekele because of a quad injury he suffered in the series’ second game. His absence might significantly hurt Bangladesh’s chances of recording a historic series victory on Sri Lankan soil, as the ODI series is now tied at one.
The team physio is keeping a careful eye on Najmul Hossain because he did not finish his fielding responsibilities in the last game. According to the Cricbuzz report, he did take part in the training session, but he felt uncomfortable jogging and requested help from physio Bayzidul Islam during the nets. After watching him at the last practice before the decider, a final determination regarding his availability will be made.
A source with knowledge of the situation informed Cricbuzz, “We can only say something about him after the practice session [Najmul Hossain] because it is important to see how he reacts in the net and elsewhere in the training session ahead of the game.”
Najmul Hossain was removed from the T20I team.
Mohammad Naim, the left-handed opener, is anticipated to be included in the starting lineup if Shanto is sidelined. After two years, Naim recently returned to the national squad.
has just finished a strong domestic campaign in which he led the BPL and NCL T20 run charts.
After a run of subpar performances earlier in 2025, Shanto resigned as T20I captain, and he has since been left off the team for the forthcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. The southpaw only averaged 18.84 and scored one half-century in 21 Twenty20 Internationals this year. The 26-year-old resigned from captaincy after losing the Test series against the same opponents.
However, some changes are anticipated in Sri Lanka. According to batting instructor Thilina Kandamby, Pallekele’s surface is probably batting-friendly. Rain delays, which have impacted a number of ODIs at the location recently, will be a concern for both teams, though.
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