Bangladesh right arm fast bowler Nahid Rana, who was ruled out of the two Test series against Australia with a Grade 2 side strain, has started his rehabilitation programme and remains on track to begin progressive bowling in about two weeks, subject to clearing the initial fitness stages.
A source close to the Bangladesh Cricket Board medical department said the programme has three phases. It starts with pain free movement and running, then strength and gym work, and finally bowling. Each stage needs medical clearance.
Rana has completed two rehabilitation and running sessions without any complaints. He will stay in this phase for about another week before moving into more intensive gym work.
He had spent two weeks resting after returning from Perth, where he consulted doctors, before starting rehabilitation.
On Monday, he ran at the Sher e Bangla National Cricket Stadium, completed two slow laps, and did light gym work. He later joined a football session at the BCB National Cricket Academy ground.
A BCB medical department official told TIMES of Bangladesh that Rana is now pain free and has passed the initial healing phase.
“Nahid has started his rehabilitation two days ago. Usually, with a side strain, there is a healing phase, which is considered complete once the player feels no pain during normal movements. Since he is now pain-free, we have started his rehabilitation,” the official said.
The early focus is to keep the injured area pain free before adding strength work. Rana is now moving through that stage before a return to competitive cricket.
“His rehabilitation is ongoing, with two sessions of rehab and running completed without any complaints. He will continue this for another week before progressing to gym work,” the official said.
Rana suffered the injury during the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. The injury ruled him out of Bangladesh’s first tour of Australia in 23 years. He is expected to miss up to eight weeks.
Asked when Rana could begin progressive bowling, the official said, “He is already doing some bodyweight exercises, and after another week, he will begin gym-based work. It will take approximately another two weeks before he can start progressive bowling.”
