Bangladesh’s fast bowler Nahid Rana will miss the upcoming Test series against Australia due to a side strain. The 23-year-old suffered a Grade 2 strain on his left side during a recent T20I against Zimbabwe. The Bangladesh Cricket Board anticipates a recovery period of six to eight weeks, dashing Rana’s hopes of participating in the World Test Championship matches.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board stated that Nahid Rana’s injury will require around four weeks for tissue healing, followed by an additional two to four weeks of bowling workload progression. Rana’s absence is a significant setback for Bangladesh, as he had emerged as a promising fast-bowling talent for the team in the past year.
While Nahid Rana’s injury is a blow, there is positive news for Bangladesh regarding left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam’s recovery from a Grade 1 left hamstring injury sustained during the Zimbabwe tour. Shoriful is expected to resume bowling on July 29 and undergo a fitness assessment around August 12. Although he may miss the first Test, he could be available for the second match if medically cleared.
In addition to Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam’s situations, Bangladesh is hopeful about wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das’s recovery from a left calf injury. Litton is set to start running and conditioning drills from July 28, with a fitness assessment planned for around August 13. If his progress continues positively, he might be considered for selection in the second Test match.
Bangladesh is gearing up to travel to Australia early next month for a three-day warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI in Darwin starting from August 3. This match will serve as their final preparation before the Test series, commencing in Darwin on August 13, followed by the second Test in Mackay as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.
