Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana faces a major hurdle in his return to the pitch, with his participation in the upcoming home Test series against the West Indies now under significant doubt. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has scheduled a crucial assessment for the pacer on October 11 to determine whether he will be ready for the two-match series, which is a vital component of the ICC World Test Championship.
A member of the national selection panel confirmed the upcoming evaluation on Saturday, noting that the board will only reach a definitive conclusion regarding his availability once they receive the medical report. While officials remain hopeful that the bowler might recover in time to contribute to at least one of the matches, his inclusion hinges entirely on receiving formal fitness clearance. “We are hoping he will be available for the West Indies, but whether he can make it for both Tests or only one remains to be seen, as it will depend on his fitness clearance,” he added.
Rana’s injury history has been a recurring issue this year. He was previously sidelined by a grade-two side strain during the tour of Zimbabwe, a setback that caused him to miss subsequent international assignments, including the tour of Australia, the Asian Games, and the recent Test series against Afghanistan. During his recovery, he suffered a fresh injury to his glute region, which ultimately ruled him out of the ongoing tri-series in the UAE involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
To address the persistent pain in his glute area, the BCB is currently exploring the possibility of seeking a second opinion from medical experts abroad. There is growing suspicion among officials that a cyst could be the source of the lingering problem. While the board plans to consult domestic experts first to establish an immediate treatment path, there is a strong possibility that Rana could be sent to the Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar, a facility widely recognized for specialized sports injury recovery.
