Habibul Bashar, Bangladesh chief selector, on Monday, said that they are yet to decide whether they will push to include Nahid Rana for the ODI series against South Africa. The pacer, who is expected to be fit for the T20Is, may not be considered for selection for the ODIs.
Cricbuzz had earlier reported that Rana was all set to miss the South Africa Test series due to a Labrum tear which marked another setback for the pacer, who had been working towards a comeback after being sidelined by a grade-two side strain sustained during Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe in July.
The injury had forced him to miss the tour of Australia, the Asian Games and the one-off Test against Afghanistan. He then suffered a fresh injury to his glute during rehabilitation, ruling him out of the tri-series in the UAE involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. He also missed the two-match Test series against West Indies.
Rana, who is currently completing his rehabilitation in Australia, is eager to return but BCB chief selector indicated they are not in a rush.
“I spoke with Nahid Rana yesterday. He called me from Australia and he is hopeful of returning quickly,” Habibul told reporters while announcing the Test squad for the South Africa tour on Monday.
“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,” he 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,” he said. “But I think he will be fine for the T20s."
Bangladesh are set to leave for South Africa on November 10 and 11 with the first Test starting in Johannesburg on November 15, followed by the second in Centurion beginning on November 23. Bangladesh will also play three ODIs and three T20Is after the Test series.
