Rana ruled out, Australia tour plan under scrutiny

Why was Nahid Rana risked in Zimbabwe? That question is now doing the rounds after Bangladesh’s fastest quick was ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series in Australia with a side strain, raising doubts over whether the injury could have been avoided.

With pace providing Bangladesh with a rare source of recognition in Australia, the loss of Rana has significantly dented their biggest weapon ahead of their first tour Down Under in 23 years. The much-anticipated series, beginning on August 13, was billed by Australia as a battle between two of the fastest pace attacks in world cricket.

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Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stated in Saturday’s press release that Rana has suffered a Grade 2 side strain, with his recovery period estimated at six to eight weeks from the date of injury, July 17.

The timing of the injury has brought the team management’s handling of Rana’s workload into focus. Questions are being raised over the decision to include the express quick in the white-ball assignments in Zimbabwe so close to the Australia tour, and especially after having featured and performed regularly in the lead up to the series.

While some members of the team management felt game time is always necessary, the Tigers’ loss in the Harare Test may also have played a role in the decision.

“There was no issue with workload for Rana. He did not play the Test [against Zimbabwe on June 28] and also the third ODI [July 11]. It wasn’t about game time. Actually, the situation became like that since we were losing, but there was no case of overload,” a team management official said.

BCB sources informed that GPS trackers are used to gauge workload and that there was no issue with workload management.

Rana has emerged as a key figure in Bangladesh’s pace attack and enjoyed an incredible run since May.

The 23-year-old played the two Tests against Pakistan -- his pace and ability to reverse swing the old ball saw the Tigers rattle Pakistan inside two sessions in Mirpur in May -- before featuring in the Pakistan Super League final, where concerns were raised about injuries.

He then played the first two ODIs and the last two T20Is against Australia, who also suffered his pace barrage. Rana jolted the six-time world champions with serious pace and extra bounce, picking up four for 41 under lights in the series opener in Mirpur. The Australian crowd would have been expectantly waiting for the barrage to continue in Darwin and Mackay.

In Zimbabwe, having skipped the one-off Test in Harare, Rana was brought back into the white-ball schemes before suffering the injury in the second T20I, where he left the field clutching the left side of his back. The injury ruled him out of the series-deciding third T20I, which Bangladesh won to seal a 2-1 victory.

In hindsight, prioritising the Zimbabwe white-ball series, especially as Bangladesh have already qualified for the next T20 World Cup, looks like a call that backfired.

Other Injury Updates

Shoriful Islam

** Recovering well from a Grade 1 left hamstring injury sustained on July 14.

** Expected to resume bowling on July 29, with a fitness assessment around August 12.

** Unlikely to feature in the first Test against Australia in Darwin (August 13) but could be available for the second Test in Mackay (August 22), subject to medical clearance.

Litton Das

** Continuing rehabilitation from a left calf muscle injury.

** Underwent platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment in Singapore on Friday.

** Scheduled to begin a progressive running and conditioning programme on July 28, with a fitness assessment around August 13.

** Expected to be available for selection for the second Test, provided he completes rehabilitation and receives fitness clearance.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib

** Remains in rehabilitation after fracturing his hip bone.

** A follow-up scan and consultation with an overseas specialist confirmed he will continue rehab before undergoing another scan in eight to 10 weeks.

** Return-to-play timeline depends on fracture healing, with his availability currently expected towards the end of the year.

Mustafizur Rahman

** Recovering from a right hamstring and calf injury.

** Undergoing daily rehabilitation, with a fitness assessment scheduled for the end of July.

** If his bowling workload progresses as planned, he is expected to be available for selection after August 18, making him a likely option for the second Test in Mackay.