Dhaka, 25 July 2026:
Bangladesh will arrive in Australia next month for a historic two-Test series, beginning in Darwin, where Test cricket will return for the first time since 2004.
The opening match will mark Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia in 23 years, but the visitors will travel without several key players, including fast bowler Nahid Rana.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed that Rana will miss the series because of a left-side strain sustained during the second Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe last week.
The 23-year-old has been ruled out for at least six weeks.
“Rana is expected to require approximately four weeks for tissue healing, followed by a further two to four weeks of bowling workload progression,” the BCB said in a statement.
His absence is a significant setback for Bangladesh ahead of the landmark Darwin Test. Rana has taken 44 international wickets this year, the most by any bowler, at an average of 18.31. His performances have included four five-wicket hauls.
Left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das will also miss the first Test in Darwin.
Shoriful is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe earlier this month. He is expected to resume bowling on July 29 and undergo a fitness assessment around Aug. 12.
If cleared, Shoriful could return for the second Test in Mackay, beginning Aug. 22.
Litton is making steady progress in his recovery from a left calf injury sustained against Australia in June. He is scheduled to begin a progressive running and conditioning program July 28 before undergoing a fitness assessment around Aug. 13.
A successful rehabilitation period could also put Litton in contention for the Mackay Test.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Tanzim Hasan is expected to miss most of 2026 because of a hip injury.
Mustafizur Rahman, who was ruled out of the Hundred with right hamstring and calf injuries, could become available from mid-August.
Bangladesh will depart for Darwin on Aug. 1 as the Northern Territory prepares to stage its first Test match in more than two decades.
