Nahid Rana ruled out of Australia Test series due to side strain

Bangladesh’s star fast bowler Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the upcoming Test tour of Australia. Bangladesh are set to tour Australia for a two-match Test series, beginning on August 13. However, they have suffered a major blow ahead of the series as Nahid Rana has been ruled out due to a side strain.

Rana sustained a left-side strain during the second T20I against Zimbabwe, played on July 17 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Subsequent scans on the injury have confirmed a Grade 2 side strain, and he’s expected to be on the sidelines for almost eight weeks, with four weeks required for tissue healing.

Rana will need another two to four weeks of bowling workload progression. His overall recovery period is estimated at six to eight weeks from the date of injury.

He will be a big miss for Bangladesh for the all-important tour as the speedster has been in rich form across all formats. He was the second-highest wicket-taker of the last series against Pakistan, taking 11 scalps from two matches, playing a key role in a 2-0 whitewash.

In his young career so far, the 23-year-old has scalped 38 wickets from 12 matches with two five-wicket hauls.

Bangladesh to play Tests in Australia after 23 years

Bangladesh are also likely to miss Litton Das and left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam during the first Test in Darwin. Both players are progressing through rehabilitation and are unlikely to recover in time for the series opener.

Notably, it will be Bangladesh’s second Test tour to Australia after their maiden series in the country in 2003, where they lost 0-2.