Injured Nahid Rana out of Zimbabwe T20I decider, racing against time for Australia Tests

Bangladesh pace sensation Nahid Rana is set to miss the T20I series decider against Zimbabwe on July 19 due to a side strain.

The injured Rana is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, putting his participation in serious doubt for the start of their Test tour of Australia next month. He sustained the injury during the second T20I against Zimbabwe.

The 23-year-old fast bowler, who put in a career-best T20I performance in the series opener (4-26), left the field after bowling 2.3 overs in the second game, finishing with figures of 1-15.

A member of the national selection panel confirmed the development to Cricbuzz on Saturday (July 18), adding that they are keeping their fingers crossed and waiting for the scan report, which will provide a clear idea about the severity of his injury.

"He (Rana) is certainly missing the third T20I against Zimbabwe and we feel the side strain will take at least two to three weeks to recover," said the selector.

"We are waiting for the scan report while we keep our fingers crossed, as we still have some time before the first Test against Australia," he said.

"The way he is bowling at the moment, missing him in the Australia tour would be a big blow, so we are waiting to see the depth of his injury and actually how many days he will take to recover," he added.

It is understood that Nahid is running out of time to make himself available for the opening Test against Australia, scheduled in Darwin from August 13.

Bangladesh Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and the national selectors met at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday to discuss preparations for the Australia series. It is learnt that Rana's availability Down Under turned out to be a topic of discussion from the beginning, since he has emerged as a key figure in Bangladesh's pace attack in recent times.

The series opener in Darwin will be followed by the second Test in Mackay, starting August 22.