Bangladesh hit by big absences ahead of Australia Tests

Bangladesh will be without key fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Tanzim Hasan Sakib for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship series against Australia, which begins on 13 August.

In an update from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Nahid Rana has been ruled out after sustaining a left-side strain during Bangladesh's T20I series against Zimbabwe in July. The pacer was forced off the field midway through the match, with subsequent scans confirming a Grade 2 side strain.

The injury is expected to require six to eight weeks of rehabilitation, effectively ruling Rana out of the tour of Australia.

Tanzim, meanwhile, remains on the road to recovery from a hip bone injury and is expected to return only towards the end of the year, subject to the progress of his fracture healing.

There was, however, some positive news for Bangladesh, with Shoriful Islam, Litton Das and Mustafizur Rahman all making encouraging progress in their rehabilitation and in line to return during the Test series.

Shoriful, who suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring injury during the tour of Zimbabwe, is recovering well and is expected to resume bowling from 29 July before undergoing a fitness test around 12 August. While he is unlikely to be available for the first Test, the left-arm pacer could return for the second match, which begins on 22 August.

Litton is also nearing a return from a left calf muscle injury and is scheduled to undergo a fitness test around 12 August, which could put him in contention for the second Test.

Mustafizur, too, continues to recover from a right hamstring and calf injury. The left-arm seamer is undergoing daily rehabilitation and is expected to have a fitness assessment at the end of July. If he progresses through his bowling workload as planned, Mustafizur is expected to be available for selection after 18 August.

While Bangladesh are yet to name their squad, Australia have already named a full-strength 13-player group for the series, with captain Pat Cummins returning to lead the side alongside veteran bowlers Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.

Australia currently lead the World Test Championship standings with a points percentage of 87.50. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have climbed to fourth on 58.33% following their series sweep of Pakistan and have the opportunity to strengthen their push for a top-two finish and a place in the World Test Championship Final, to be played at The Oval from 9-13 June 2027.