Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana is out of the Australia Test series due to a side strain. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during the T20 international ag
Injury Concerns for Bangladesh Ahead of Australia Tour
Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana will miss the upcoming Test tour of Australia due to a side strain. The 23-year-old sustained a left side strain during the second T20 international against Zimbabwe on July 17. Subsequent scans confirmed a grade two strain, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) indicating an estimated recovery period of six to eight weeks from the injury date.
The BCB stated that Rana is expected to need approximately four weeks for tissue healing, followed by an additional two to four weeks for bowling workload progression. This timeline rules him out of the two-Test series against Australia in the Top End.
Rana’s absence is considered a significant setback for Bangladesh, especially given his performance this year. He has taken the most wickets in men’s internationals across all three formats, with 44 wickets at an average of 18.31. He also troubled Australia’s top order during last month’s ODI series victory in Dhaka, claiming 4-41 in the first ODI, which included the wicket of Alex Carey.
According to CricViz, Rana has been the fastest bowler in Test cricket since his debut in March 2024, maintaining an average speed of 141.54kph throughout his career. Only Australia’s Mitchell Starc, with an average of 141.04kph, has averaged above 140kph in the same period.
Other Key Players Also Affected
In addition to Rana, left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam (hamstring) and wicketkeeper Litton Das (calf) are also likely to miss the series opener in Darwin. However, there is a possibility they could return for the second Test in Mackay. Shoriful, who was also injured during the recent tour of Zimbabwe, posed problems for Australia during their June visit, achieving a career-best of 6-48 in the third ODI.
Together with Taskin Ahmed, Rana and Shoriful have contributed to Bangladesh becoming the second-fastest Test pace attack, behind Australia, over the past two years. This pace attack has been instrumental in the Tigers’ recent 2-0 series victories against Ireland and Pakistan.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged the depth of Bangladesh’s pace attack, even with the potential absence of Rana and Shoriful in the first Test. He noted that they possess a pace attack that could be potent in Australia.
Squad Announcement and Series Details
Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh in their first Test in Australia since 2003. These Tests will contribute to the ICC World Test Championship (2025-27) points. Australia has already announced a strong squad for the series, which includes Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.
The Bangladesh squad for the first Test features Soumya Sarkar, who last played in the format in 2021 and has 16 Tests under his belt. The batting lineup also includes experienced players such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, and Shadman Islam. The pace attack will rely on Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain, with uncapped Musfik Hasan also part of the squad. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam will lead the spin department.
The Bangladesh team is scheduled to depart for Darwin on August 1. The tour marks their first Test series against Australia in nine years and their first visit Down Under since 2003.
The first Test is set to take place from August 13-17 at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, starting at 10 am local time. The second Test will follow from August 22-26 at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, also commencing at 10 am local time.
Source: cricket.com.au
