Rana and Taskin sent to Australia for specialist medical evaluations

Bangladesh pacers Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed will fly to Australia on Tuesday night for specialist medical evaluations, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed. They will be accompanied by national team physio Bayjedul Islam. Rana has already been ruled out of the Australia tour after suffering a left‑side strain, but the trip is primarily aimed at addressing a chronic shinbone issue that has troubled him since his early career. Taskin, named in the squad for the opening Test, is travelling to receive a third opinion on a recurring ankle problem rather than a shoulder concern.

Chief selector Habibul Bashar admitted the growing list of injuries made finalising the 15‑man squad extremely challenging. Shoriful Islam will miss the first Test due to a hamstring injury, while Litton Das is sidelined with a calf problem. Bashar said Bangladesh had hoped key players might recover in time, but acknowledged that pre‑tour plans rarely unfold as expected in elite sport.