Nahid Rana ruled out of Australia Test

"Due to a left-side strain," Bangladesh seamer Nahid Rana will not play in the two-match Test series against Australia next month. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during the second T20I against Zimbabwe last week and has been ruled out for at least six weeks. Bangladesh, who were hoping to impress on their first tour of Australia in 23 years, are disappointed by Rana's absence. Rana has taken 44 wickets in international cricket this year - the most by any bowler - at an average of 18.31, including four five-fors. "He is expected to require approximately four weeks for tissue healing, followed by a further two to four weeks of bowling workload progression," a BCB statement said. Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam and wicketkeeper Litton Das will also miss the first Test in Darwin. According to the BCB, Shoriful, who suffered the hamstring injury earlier this month while on their tour of Zimbabwe, is anticipated to resume bowling on July 29 and undergo a fitness evaluation around August 12. That means he remains in contention for the second Test in Mackay, which starts on August 13. Litton is also recovering steadily from the left-calf-muscle injury that he sustained against Australia in June. He will begin a progressive running and conditioning programme from July 28 before undergoing a fitness assessment around August 13. If he completes his rehabilitation successfully, he too could be available for the second Test. Meanwhile, Tanzim Hasan is expected to miss most of 2026 due to a hip injury, while Mustafizur Rahman, who missed the Hundred because of a right hamstring and calf injury, could be available from mid-August. On August 1, Bangladesh will depart for Darwin.