Nahid Rana still out of Afghanistan Test

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees gave a clear indication of Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana’s current fitness status on Saturday.

The 23-year-old is still not fit and is unlikely to feature in the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan, with the paceman continuing his rehabilitation from an injury sustained during the Zimbabwe series.

“He (Rana) has not yet been declared fit. His rehabilitation process will be completed, he will regain his bowling fitness and return to 100% fitness. Only then will we consider franchise cricket, let alone playing for Bangladesh. We will maintain these protocols,” Nafees said.

Rana’s absence would be a blow to Tiger’s pace attack as they prepare for the Afghanistan Test, which is scheduled to be played in the UAE.

The right-arm quick missed Bangladesh’s historic Test series in Australia because of the injury. He travelled to Australia last month for a medical consultation before returning home to begin treatment and is now continuing his rehabilitation programme in Bangladesh.

Asked about the venue for the Afghanistan Test, the BCB cricket operation said Afghanistan would make the final decision as it is their home series.

“It is Afghanistan’s home series, so they will decide the venue. But we understand that the number of grounds in the UAE is very limited. It could be Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or perhaps Sharjah. The Afghanistan Cricket Board may confirm the venue this week or next week,” the former cricketer mentioned.