Nahid Rana faces fresh injury setback, return in doubt: reports

Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has suffered another setback in his recovery, according to multiple sources, with fresh pain reportedly emerging just as he neared a return to competitive cricket and threatening his place in the upcoming UAE tri-series.

Nahid reportedly felt discomfort in his hip and lower body while bowling in training.

Sources within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) say he had been experiencing the problem for several days, though tests carried out by the board reportedly detected no structural issue.

The pacer had been due to take a fitness test this week after completing his rehabilitation.

He will most likely miss that schedule now. Doctors are reportedly set to assess him again on Saturday, and he could be sent abroad for treatment if required.

His troubles began with a side strain during the T20I series against Zimbabwe. That kept him out of the two-Test series against Australia, and he has also been left out of the squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, which starts tomorrow.

Nahid reportedly could not bowl for around six weeks after the original injury. He resumed bowling off a short run-up at the end of August, and the volume and intensity of his sessions had been rising steadily over the past month.

Reports suggest that, because he did not work separately on his lower body while managing the side strain, the new problem has surfaced as he builds up his load. The board has not publicly commented on the matter.

The original plan was for him to return in the tri-series involving Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in the UAE, which begins on October 16. That prospect has now dwindled considerably.

The next possible window is the two-Test series against the West Indies, starting on October 28 in Sylhet and Dhaka. The matches count towards the World Test Championship (WTC), and the team management had hoped to bring him back for them.

Bangladesh then tour South Africa for two Tests in November, and the team is said to be keen to protect him for as many Championship fixtures as possible.