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Bangladesh have suffered a major setback ahead of their two-Test tour of Australia, with fast bowler Nahid Rana ruled out of the series after scans confirmed a Grade 2 strain to his left side, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Saturday.
Nahid sustained the injury during the second T20 International against Zimbabwe on July 17. According to the BCB’s medical team, the 22-year-old pacer will require around four weeks for the injury to heal, followed by an additional two to four weeks to gradually rebuild his bowling workload. His overall recovery is expected to take between six and eight weeks.
The young speedster was one of Bangladesh’s standout performers during the Zimbabwe tour, claiming four wickets in the opening T20I before the injury forced him to miss the remainder of the series.
Despite Nahid’s absence, Bangladesh could receive timely reinforcements later in the Australia series, with Shoriful Islam and Litton Das progressing well in their rehabilitation.
Left-arm pacer Shoriful is recovering from a Grade 1 left hamstring injury sustained on July 14. He is scheduled to resume bowling on July 29 and will undergo a fitness assessment around August 12. While he is unlikely to be available for the opening Test, the BCB expects him to be in contention for the second match, subject to medical clearance.
Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is also making steady progress after suffering a left calf injury. Following consultation with a specialist in Singapore, he underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on Friday. Litton is expected to begin a running and conditioning programme on July 28 before undergoing a fitness assessment around August 13. If his rehabilitation continues as planned, he is likely to be available for the second Test.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib remains on the sidelines with a fracture. The BCB said he will undergo another scan in eight to 10 weeks, with a return expected later this year depending on his recovery.
Left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman is also continuing rehabilitation for hamstring and calf injuries. He is due for a fitness assessment at the end of July and could return to selection after August 18 if he receives medical clearance.
Bangladesh will begin their two-Test series against Australia with the opening match in Darwin on August 13, before the second Test in Mackay from August 22. The Tigers will now have to cope without one of their fastest bowlers as they prepare for the challenging tour Down Under.
