Bangladesh has provided an update on fast bowler Nahid Rana's injury and possible return to international cricket. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is not ready to rush Nahid Rana back into action and wants him to complete his recovery properly before making him available for selection.

Bangladesh chief selector Habibul Bashar has hinted that Rana is unlikely to play the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. However, the Bangladesh team management is hopeful that the fast bowler will recover in time for the T20I series in South Africa.

Nahid Rana suffers labrum tear after earlier injury setbacks

Nahid Rana is currently completing his rehabilitation in Australia after suffering a labrum tear. The injury has been another major setback for the young fast bowler, who was already working hard to return after suffering a grade-two side strain during Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe in July 2026.

That injury forced him to miss the Australia tour, the Asian Games, and the one-off Test against Afghanistan. During his rehabilitation, Rana suffered another injury to his glute, which ruled him out of the UAE tri-series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. He also missed the two-match Test series against the West Indies.

BCB reveals Nahid Rana's return date

Habibul Bashar revealed that he spoke to Rana on Sunday, and the pacer is confident about making a quick return. He is expected to return to Bangladesh around November 15 and believes he is already close to full fitness.

Habibul told reporters, as quoted by Cricbuzz, “I spoke with Nahid Rana yesterday. He called me from Australia, and he is hopeful of returning quickly. Maybe he will be back on the 15th (November). He is confident that he can return right now. He thinks he is in a condition to return right now, but since he has gone through an injury, we want to bring him back following a procedure.”

Nahid Rana set to miss South Africa ODIs, BCB hopeful of his return for T20I series

However, the Bangladesh selectors do not want to take any unnecessary risks with his recovery. Rana has been ruled out of the South Africa Test series, while his chances of playing the ODIs are also very low.

The BCB will continue to monitor his fitness before taking a final call on his availability for the T20I series. However, Bashar is hopeful that Rana will be ready for the T20I series in South Africa.

Habibul further said, “We don't want to rush him. So, he is definitely ruled out of ODIs and Tests. We probably won't get him for ODIs, but we will try to see if he can be available for T20s. In ODIs, perhaps given his current condition and the reports I'm receiving, we might have to risk it. But whether we will take that risk is a big question. But I think he will be fine for the T20s.”

Bangladesh's South Africa tour schedule

Bangladesh is scheduled to leave for South Africa on November 10 and 11 for an important multi-format tour. The first Test will begin in Johannesburg on November 15, while the second Test will be played in Centurion from November 23.

After the two-match Test series, both teams will face each other in three ODIs and three T20Is. The first T20I will be played at Diamond Oval and will start at 9:30 PM IST. The second match is scheduled for December 12 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, while the final T20I will take place on December 13 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Both matches will begin at 6:00 PM IST.