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The Bangladesh National Cricket Team has suffered a massive injury blow ahead of their much-awaited Test tour of Australia. Fast bowler Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the entire two-match Test series after suffering a serious side injury on Saturday, July 25.
The first Test between Australia and Bangladesh will be played in Darwin from August 13, and then the teams will travel to Mackay for the second Test from August 22 to 26. This Test series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27. Amid this, India's Bangladesh tour to decide Afghanistan T20I series schedule as BCCI awaits government clearance.
Nahid Rana ruled out of Australia Test series
Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the Test series in Australia because of a side strain. Rana’s injury was a big blow for the Bangladesh National Cricket Team, as Shoriful Islam is also uncertain for the challenging Test series with Australia, which has already been named a strong squad for the home games.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that Nahid Rana has suffered a Grade 2 left side strain. The 23-year-old picked up the injury during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on July 17, and medical scans later showed that he will need around six to eight weeks to recover.
Nahid Rana needs 6-8 weeks to recover fully from side strain
Rana suffered the injury during Bangladesh’s T20I series against Zimbabwe earlier this month. Later, the scans confirmed the Grade 2 side strain that ruled him out of the upcoming Australia Test series. He is expected to need around four weeks for the injury to heal, followed by another two to four weeks of gradual bowling work.
The BCB said in a medical update: “Fast bowler Nahid Rana has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Australia after sustaining a left side strain. He is expected to require approximately four weeks for tissue healing, followed by a further two to four weeks of bowling workload progression.”
Shoriful Islam likely to miss first Test against Australia
Bangladesh fast bowler Shoriful Islam is recovering from a Grade 1 left hamstring injury that he suffered during the Zimbabwe tour. The left-arm pacer is expected to start bowling again from July 29. He will then have a fitness test around August 12.
However, Shoriful is likely to miss the first Test against Australia in Darwin, which starts on August 13. But there is still a chance for Shoriful to return for the second Test in Mackay, but he needs to complete his bowling workload properly and receive medical clearance before being considered. Earlier, Shah Rukh Khan's Knight Riders rope in Pakistani Usman Tariq for CPL 2026.
Litton Das races against time for Australia Tests after calf injury
Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is also racing against time to attain match fitness for the Australia series. Litton is recovering from a left calf muscle injury and recently traveled to Singapore for a specialist medical consultation.
He underwent PRP treatment on Friday as part of his recovery. The batter is expected to begin a gradual running and fitness program from July 28. His next fitness assessment is planned around August 13. This means Litton is unlikely to be ready for the opening Test in Darwin. However, if his rehabilitation goes well, he could become available for the second Test in Mackay.
