Several sources within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the news on Saturday. Rana picked up a side strain while playing the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on July 17. Since then, there had been growing concerns over his availability for the Australia series.
After returning to Bangladesh from the Zimbabwe tour on Wednesday, Rana underwent medical scans, which confirmed the worst fears. Speaking on Saturday, BCB Chief Physician Dr. Debashis Chowdhury said, "Nahid Rana will miss the Test series against Australia because of his injury." The BCB later confirmed the update through an official medical bulletin.
Rana is now one of five Bangladesh cricketers currently recovering from injuries of varying severity.
Medical examinations revealed that the right-arm fast bowler has suffered a Grade II muscle strain on the left side of his body. As a result, he has been ruled out of the Australia Tests. According to the BCB medical team, the injured muscle will require around four weeks to heal completely, followed by another two to four weeks of gradually increasing his bowling workload. Overall, his recovery is expected to take between six and eight weeks.
Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam is also recovering after sustaining a Grade I hamstring injury on July 14. His rehabilitation has been progressing well, and he is scheduled to resume bowling on July 29. A fitness assessment is planned for August 12. While his chances of featuring in the first Test remain slim, he could be available for the second Test if he successfully completes his rehabilitation and receives medical clearance.
Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Kumar Das is continuing his recovery from a muscle injury in his left leg. Following advice from specialists in Singapore, he underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy on Friday.
Litton is expected to begin running and fitness training from July 28, with a full fitness test scheduled around August 13. If he clears rehabilitation and receives approval from the medical staff, he could be considered for selection for the second Test.
Fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib remains in rehabilitation. Based on recent medical assessments and consultations with overseas specialists, he will continue his recovery program before undergoing another evaluation in eight to ten weeks. His return to competitive cricket will depend on the healing of his bone injury, although the current expectation is that he could return later this year.
Meanwhile, left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman is also recovering from hamstring and calf injuries. He continues his daily rehabilitation program, with a fitness assessment scheduled for the end of July. If he progresses as planned and completes his bowling workload successfully, he could become available for national team selection after August 18, 2026.
On Saturday, Shoriful Islam was seen taking part in light training at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur alongside Mustafizur Rahman.
With several frontline fast bowlers sidelined, Bangladesh team management is preparing right-arm pacers Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud as possible replacements. Hasan returned to Bangladesh on Friday after completing his stint in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Ebadot, who had initially withdrawn from the Australia tour due to family reasons, is currently in Italy. BCB chief selector Habibul Bashar said that if Ebadot returns to Bangladesh by July 30 in time to complete the Australian visa process, he could be included in the squad.
According to multiple BCB sources, Ebadot is keen to cut short his stay in Italy and return home. Bangladesh are scheduled to depart for Australia on July 31 for the two-match Test series.
The first Test will begin on August 13 in Darwin. Before the series gets underway, Bangladesh will play a four-day warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI. The second and final Test is scheduled to start on August 22 in Mackay.
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