Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Australia after scans confirmed a Grade 2 strain to his left side, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Saturday.
Nahid sustained the injury during the second T20 international against Zimbabwe on 17 July. According to the BCB, the injury will require around four weeks to heal, followed by a further two to four weeks to gradually rebuild his bowling workload. His overall recovery is expected to take between six and eight weeks.
The pace bowler impressed during the Zimbabwe tour, claiming four wickets in the opening T20I before the injury forced him to miss the remainder of the series.
The BCB is hopeful that Shoriful Islam and Litton Das will return later in the Australia series if their rehabilitation continues as planned.
Shoriful is recovering from a Grade 1 left hamstring injury suffered on 14 July. He is due to resume bowling on 29 July and will undergo a fitness assessment around 12 August. The left-arm seamer is unlikely to be available for the opening Test but could return for the second match, subject to medical clearance.
Litton is continuing his recovery from a left calf injury. After consulting a specialist in Singapore, he underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on Friday. He is scheduled to begin a running and conditioning programme on 28 July before a fitness assessment around 13 August. If he completes his rehabilitation successfully, he is expected to be available for the second Test.
Right-arm fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib remains in rehabilitation after suffering a fracture. The BCB said he will undergo another scan in eight to 10 weeks, with a return to action expected later this year, depending on his recovery.
Left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman is also recovering from hamstring and calf injuries and continues daily rehabilitation. He is due to undergo a fitness assessment at the end of July and is expected to be available for selection after 18 August if he receives medical clearance.
Bangladesh will tour Australia in August for the two-match Test series. The first Test will be played in Darwin from 13 August, with the second scheduled for Mackay from 22 August.
