Labrum tear diagnosed for Nahid Rana in Australia, bowling may resume from October 30
New information has emerged from Australia about the injury of Bangladesh's young pacer Nahid Rana. Nahid was injured again late last month (September). The pacer then travelled to Australia for a second time. After arriving there he consulted doctor Peter D'Alessandro, and a 10-day rehab session is under way there.
After examinations, it was found that Nahid has suffered a labrum injury. A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official confirmed the matter. The BCB official told cricket-based outlet Cricbuzz: 'Yes, (Nahid's) labrum tear injury has been diagnosed. He has already been given an injection in Australia and has started rehabilitation. There is a possibility he will start bowling from Friday (October 30).'
However, even if he returns to bowling, it is not certain that Nahid will quickly reach match-playing condition. His playing will depend on his progress in rehabilitation and the pace of his recovery — meaning he can move forward only if his body responds at each stage, with no room for rushing.
The official also said: 'If he cannot recover before the two Tests against South Africa, he could return to competitive cricket through the white-ball series against South Africa.' In other words, while the Test series is the first target, if that does not happen, the white-ball series is being considered as the stage for his return.
Nahid's injury list is not new. Earlier, in July, during Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe, he suffered a grade-2 side strain. Because of that injury, the pacer could not play in the Australia tour, the Asian Games and the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
After that, during rehabilitation, Nahid suffered a fresh injury to his hip muscle as well. As a result, he was also ruled out of the tri-nation series in the United Arab Emirates involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Repeated injuries have broken the continuity of his time on the field again and again.
The second trip to Australia after the late-September injury itself indicates that, as the desired progress was not achieved in rehabilitation at home, a specialist doctor was consulted. The 10-day rehab session under Peter D'Alessandro is part of that process.
After the labrum tear was diagnosed, no surgery has been mentioned for now; the BCB official's remarks suggest treatment is proceeding with an injection and rehabilitation. If he can start bowling from October 30, that will be the first big test on the road back.
The team, meanwhile, faces a busy schedule. Bangladesh will begin a two-match Test series against the West Indies from October 28. The information in this report does not say Nahid will be in that series; the calculation of his return revolves around the South Africa series.
Although expectations surround this pace bowler known for his speed, injury-proneness has now become the biggest obstacle in his career. The side strain in July, the hip muscle injury during rehabilitation and now the labrum tear — three separate setbacks have come within a single season's span.
All in all, Nahid's future now depends on the progress of the rehab session in Australia. Bowling starting on October 30, then gradually increasing the bowling load, and finally match fitness — only if this sequence progresses properly will the possibility arise of his return to competitive cricket through the white-ball series against South Africa.
