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Bangladesh have been dealt a major injury setback ahead of their two-match Test series against Australia, with fast bowler Nahid Rana officially ruled out after sustaining a side strain. The injury comes as a significant blow for the visitors, who will begin their ICC World Test Championship campaign against Australia next month.

Rana picked up the injury during the second T20I against Zimbabwe and had been working to regain fitness in time for the Australia tour. However, medical scans confirmed that the pacer has suffered a Grade 2 left side strain, ruling him out of the high-profile Test series. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expects the speedster to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Litton Das and Shoriful Islam Also Unlikely for Bangladesh

Confirming the development, a Bangladesh Cricket Board official revealed that Rana will not travel to Australia. At the same time, wicketkeeper-batsman Litton Das remains doubtful and will require a fitness clearance before returning to action.

“He is ruled out and cannot go to Australia. Litton Kumar Das’s availability is subject to passing the fitness test,” a BCB official told Cricbuzz.

Bangladesh are also set to be without Litton Das and left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam for the opening Test in Darwin as both players continue their recovery from injuries.

Litton traveled to Singapore for specialist treatment after suffering a left calf injury and underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. He is scheduled to begin a progressive running and conditioning program from July 28 before undergoing a fitness assessment around August 13. If he is medically cleared, the experienced wicketkeeper-batter is expected to be available for the second Test.

Shoriful, meanwhile, sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring injury during the Zimbabwe series. The left-arm seamer is expected to resume bowling from July 29 and will undergo a fitness assessment around August 12. While he is unlikely to feature in the opening Test, the BCB remains optimistic that he will be available for the second match, provided he completes his rehabilitation and bowling workload without any setbacks.

Nahid’s absence leaves Bangladesh without one of their most dangerous pace options. The young fast bowler has established himself as a key figure in the attack with his ability to generate high pace and extract bounce, making his unavailability a major setback ahead of one of the team’s toughest overseas assignments.

The two-match ICC World Test Championship series will begin in Darwin from August 13 to 17, with the second and final Test scheduled to be played in Mackay from August 22 to 26.