The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will assess fast bowler Nahid Rana’s condition on October 11 before making a decision on his availability for the upcoming two-match home Test series against West Indies. His participation in the series, which forms part of the ICC World Test Championship, remains in doubt following a recent rehabilitation setback.
Injury History and Rehabilitation Setback
Rana has been sidelined since sustaining a grade-two side strain during Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe earlier this year. The initial injury forced him to miss the tour of Australia, the Asian Games, and the ongoing Test series against Afghanistan. While working towards a comeback, the pacer suffered a fresh injury to his glute region. This latest setback ruled him out of the upcoming tri-series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in the UAE.
Official Statement and Foreign Opinion
A member of the BCB selection panel confirmed the situation on Saturday, stating, “Rana will have an assessment tomorrow (October 11), and only then will we get a clear picture of his injury status.” The official added that while the board hopes he will be available for the West Indies series, whether he can play both Tests or just one depends entirely on his fitness clearance.
It is learnt that the BCB is considering sending Rana abroad for a second opinion due to officials suspecting the presence of a cyst in the affected area. The board will first seek an expert opinion within Bangladesh to identify the exact cause of the persistent pain in his glute region. If further evaluation is required, Rana could be sent to Qatar’s Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital for specialized assessment and recovery planning.
