Bangladesh have suffered a huge blow ahead of their ICC World Test Championship series in Australia with fast bowler Nahid Rana ruled out due to injury and Litton Das and Shoriful Islam are still in doubt for the first Test.
The Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against Australia due to injury, a blow for the team.Bangladesh’s preparations for their two-match Test series against Australia have been severely affected after their fast bowler Nahid Rana has been dropped for injury.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that the young pacer will be unable to travel for the entire tour as he has not been able to get over a side strain he suffered earlier this month. Senior batter Litton Das and left arm spinner Shoriful Islam are also expected to miss the first Test as they are on rehabilitation.
Nahid Rana Ruled Out with Side Strain
Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the Australia series after sustaining a strain in the left side in the second T20I against Zimbabwe.
Later a medical examination confirmed it was a Grade 2 side strain and the fast bowler was advised to take a break of six to eight weeks, ruling him out of the upcoming Test tour.
Rana has been one of the most promising pace bowlers in the team in the past few months and is a huge loss for Bangladesh.
Litton Das Faces Race Against Time
Litton Das, the wicketkeeper who was injured in the left calf in the first match, still has a way to go before he is fit for the first Test in Darwin.
Litton will then be able to return to running and conditioning before a fitness assessment in mid-August after specialist treatment, which includes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
He may be able to return for the second Test of the series if he passes the medical exams.
Shoriful Islam Also Doubtful for First Test
The injury woes have been compounded by the fitness of Shoriful Islam who had a Grade 1 left hamstring injury.
The left-arm pacer is likely to be fit for the series later this month and will be assessed for fitness before the series kicks off.
The medical team is hoping he will recover but for now, Shoriful is not fit enough to play the first Test, and if he does, he may be able to take part in the second Test.
Bangladesh Face Selection Challenge
But, with Nahid Rana out and two other important players suffering injuries, Bangladesh’s selectors could have to make adjustments to both the batting and the bowling department.
The team management will keep a close eye on the rehabilitation of Litton Das and Shoriful Islam before making the final squad for the first Test.
Australia Series Begins in August
The two-match Test series between Australia and Bangladesh will begin in Darwin on August 13-17 followed by both teams travelling to Mackay for the second and final Test August 22-26.
The series has been a part of the ICC World Test Championship and is crucial for both teams as Bangladesh looks to bounce back from their injury woes and put one of the world’s top teams under pressure.
