Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has returned home after completing a medical consultation in Australia as he continues his recovery from a long-standing shinbone problem. The pacer arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday night after the Bangladesh Cricket Board sent him abroad for specialist assessment.
Nahid did not travel with the national squad for the two-Test series against Australia because of injury. Bangladesh have already reached Australia to prepare for the historic series, while Nahid and fellow fast bowler Shoriful Islam remain unavailable through injury.
Although Nahid has missed the tour, experienced wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das recovered in time to earn a place in the squad. The team management will assess his fitness before the opening Test, with the possibility of including him in the starting XI if he passes his final fitness test. Otherwise, they could consider him for the second Test.
The Australia trip formed part of Nahid’s rehabilitation rather than treatment for the side strain that recently sidelined him. Instead, the 22-year-old sought specialist advice for a chronic problem affecting both of his shins.
The condition has caused persistent pain in the inner part of his tibia for a prolonged period and has remained an ongoing concern throughout his career. The Bangladesh Cricket Board decided to send the pace bowler to Australia to explore the best long-term solution instead of continuing rehabilitation solely at home.
Medical specialists assessed the fast bowler and advised him on the next stage of his recovery programme. Nahid will now continue his rehabilitation in Bangladesh before any decision is made on his return to competitive cricket.
People familiar with his recovery believe the pacer has shown encouraging improvement compared with his condition before travelling to Australia. The next phase of his rehabilitation will determine when he can resume bowling workloads and work towards a return to international cricket.
