Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana is in a race against time to recover from a fresh injury ahead of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will assess his condition on October 11 before deciding whether he can feature in the two-match series on home soil.
Notably, the series is part of the ICC World Test Championship and will run from October 28 to November 9. The visitors will play a three-day warm-up match at Bashundhara Sports City from October 22 before the teams meet in Dhaka and Sylhet. Rana's availability for the series remains uncertain.
BCB Selector Outlines Nahid Rana Assessment Timeline
The BCB will wait for the results of Nahid Rana's medical assessment before deciding on his availability. A member of the national selection panel told Cricbuzz that he could feature in one or both Tests, depending on the medical team's findings and his fitness clearance.
“Rana will have an assessment tomorrow (October 11), and only then will we get a clear picture of his injury status,” a member of the selection panel confirmed to Cricbuzz on Saturday.
“We are hoping he will be available for the West Indies, but whether he can make it for both Tests or only one remains to be seen, as it will depend on his fitness clearance,” the selector added.
The fast bowler has also been left out of Bangladesh's squad for the UAE ODI tri-series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. The BCB has opted against risking him while he recovers from his latest setback.
Bangladesh will begin their campaign against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi on October 17 before facing Afghanistan in Sharjah on October 21. The final will take place on October 23.
Nahid Rana's Recurring Injuries Raise Possibility of Overseas Consultation
Nahid Rana has endured several setbacks since suffering a grade-two side strain during Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe earlier this year. The injury ruled him out of the tour of Australia, the Asian Games and the ongoing Test series against Afghanistan.
During rehabilitation, he suffered a fresh injury to his glute region, delaying his return to competitive cricket. The persistent pain has raised concerns about his recovery timeline and availability for upcoming international assignments.
The BCB is considering seeking a second medical opinion abroad if necessary. Officials suspect that a cyst could be present in the affected area, although further assessment is required to establish the cause of the pain. The board is expected to seek an expert opinion within Bangladesh before deciding on further treatment.
Nahid Rana could be sent to Qatar's Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital for further evaluation. The immediate priority is to identify the cause of the recurring problem and establish a suitable rehabilitation plan before setting a return date.
Bangladesh and West Indies Prepare for Crucial WTC Series
The two-match Test series carries important WTC points for both sides. The West Indies will begin their tour with a three-day warm-up match at Bashundhara Sports City in Dhaka from October 22 to 24. The first Test will be played at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from October 28 to November 1.
The teams will then travel to Sylhet for the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from November 5 to 9.
The sides last met in Test cricket during Bangladesh's tour of the Caribbean in November and December 2024. The series ended 1-1 after the West Indies won the first Test in Antigua by 201 runs, before Bangladesh responded with a 101-run victory in Jamaica to level the series.
