Darwin: Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana ruled out of Australia Test series
Injury Concerns for Bangladesh Ahead of Australia Tour
Bangladesh will be without fast bowler Nahid Rana for their 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. Scans confirmed a grade two strain, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) indicating a recovery period of at least six weeks.
Rana’s injury is expected to require approximately four weeks for tissue healing, followed by an additional two to four weeks of bowling workload progression. The estimated overall recovery time is six to eight weeks from the date of injury, ruling him out of the two-Test series in the Top End.
The absence of Rana is considered a significant setback for Bangladesh’s prospects against Australia on their home ground. Rana has emerged as a promising fast-bowling talent, having taken the most wickets in men’s internationals this year with 44 across three formats at an average of 18.31.
He previously troubled Australia’s top order during last month’s ODI series victory in Dhaka, where he claimed 4-41 in the first ODI, including the wicket of Test wicketkeeper 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.
Left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, and wicketkeeper Litton Das, sidelined with a calf issue, are also likely to miss the series opener in Darwin. However, there is a possibility they could return for the second Test in Mackay.
Squad Adjustments and Australian Concerns
Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain Bangladesh for their first Test series in Australia since 2003. The squad for the first Test includes Soumya Sarkar, who last played in the format in 2021 and has 16 Tests under his belt. The batting lineup also features experienced players such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, and Shadman Islam.
With injuries affecting their pace attack, Bangladesh will rely on Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Ebadot Hossain. Uncapped player Musfik Hasan has also been included in the squad. The spin department will be led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.
Shoriful, who was also injured during the recent tour of Zimbabwe, posed problems for Australia during their visit in June, achieving a career-best 6-48 in the third ODI. Alongside Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful has contributed to Bangladesh’s emergence as the second-fastest Test pace attack, behind Australia, over the past two years. This pace attack has helped Bangladesh secure 2-0 series victories against Ireland and Pakistan.
Despite the absence of Rana and Shoriful in the first Test, Australia coach Andrew McDonald expressed caution, noting that Bangladesh possesses depth beyond these players. He commented that their pace attack, when playing in Australia, could be quite potent.
Upcoming Test Series Schedule
The NRMA Insurance Bangladesh Test series will see Bangladesh depart for Darwin on August 1. This tour marks their first Test series against Australia in nine years and their first visit Down Under since 2003.
The first Test is scheduled from August 13-17 at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, with play starting at 10 am local time. The second Test will take place from August 22-26 at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, also commencing at 10 am local time.
The Australian squad for the series 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.
Source: cricket.com.au
