'Ek kaam karo injured cup khilau' - Fans react as Bangladesh's Litton Das ruled out of Asia Cup 2023 due to viral fever

A day before the 2023 Asia Cup opener, Bangladesh suffered a major setback as their star batter was ruled out of the tournament. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Wednesday (August 30) that wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has been forced to withdraw from the continental event due to viral fever. The Shakib Al Hasan-led side is set to begin their campaign against Sri Lanka on August 31 at the Pallekele International Stadium.

The Tigers are already without the services of their premier batter Tamim Iqbal and the latest update will surely impact their journey in the marquee event. While emerging Tanzid Tamim has replaced Iqbal, who has been sidelined due to a recurring back injury, Das will be replaced by Anamul Haque in the 17-member squad.

The BCB's Cricket Operations Committee chairman, Jalal Yunus, had earlier clarified that Das is suffering from fever, but he has tested negative for Dengue. He had also mentioned that the board will consider a replacement if the 28-year-old does not recover in time.

"He (Anamul) 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," said BCB's National Selection Panel Chairman Minhajul Abedin.

Their new addition Haque has been impressive in the domestic circuit and has decent stats in ODIs. The 30-year-old has played 41 ODIs and has scored 1254 runs at an average of 30.54 and a strike rate of 74.16. He last played an ODI against India in December 2022 at Chattogram.

Updated Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy

Here's how fans reacted to Litton Das being ruled out of Asia Cup 2023: 

Big setback for Bangladesh, Tamim and Litton both injured now

— Anuraj Kumar (@BeAnuraj) August 30, 2023

Yeh kya ho raha hai? Asia Cup shuru hone se pehle itne injuries, khatam hone tak aur kaun-kaun jaayega pata nahi 😨

— NK 🇮🇳 (@nirmal_indian) August 30, 2023

Wtf???

Chal kya Raha hai....seems half of international players are suddenly injured. pic.twitter.com/gU4VLbJvN0

— Pathik Joshi💪 (@pathikj80) August 30, 2023

Abee Yaar

Ind vs pak final

— Saurav (@saurav_viratian) August 30, 2023

Bangladesh already have problems in their batting lineup. After Tamim, Liton is also out. Advantage for Afghanistan in the respective group.

— CHARLIE (@CharlieGulshan) August 30, 2023

Bangladesh main ek to player hai to acha khelta hai vo bhi gaya 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

— Anshu Chauhan (@chauhandwarrior) August 30, 2023

Huge loss for Bangladesh...

— Patel 🏹 (@Patelshyd) August 30, 2023

be bakaa!! Ye to kafi achchha khelta thai Bangladesh ke liye.. Kya hua ise?

— Zalak Kansara 🇮🇳 🇦🇺 (@amdavadiZalak) August 30, 2023

Bekar hi ho raha hai ye tournament

— Yash Wardhan (@wardhantweets) August 30, 2023

Bhai direct India- Pakistan ka final karwa do

— GAFOOR GHISELA (@ParitoshK_2016) August 30, 2023

Ek kaam karo Injured Asia cup khilau

— Prateek Shivhare (@prateek0899) August 30, 2023

not asia cup this is, injury cup

— Bala⁴⁵Rohit (@bala45_rohit) August 30, 2023