Bangladesh speedster Nahid Rana returned home from Australia on Monday after a medical assessment, with the pacer prescribed at least a week's rest before beginning rehabilitation for a Grade 2 side strain.
Rana, who sustained the injury on July 17, was ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series in Australia. He also underwent scans for a shin bone issue alongside the side strain.
"There was a shin bone issue but following assessment, everything turned out to be okay and looks in good condition. For his side strain, he has been prescribed rest for a week at least before rehabilitation begins," a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) medical department source said.
The pacer will undergo further assessments after a week before entering the main phase of his recovery, with the rehabilitation period estimated at eight weeks from the date of injury.
"During the first six weeks, the body naturally heals the torn tissue. Physios use manual therapy, gels and targeted treatments to make the tissue elastic and flexible again.
"There are a few steps to recovery. Firstly, we check whether the pain has gone completely, next we go for strength building, and then he can begin progressive bowling. Once he is able to bowl at 100 percent intensity, the bowling coach, fitness coach and physiotherapist will assess his workload.
"Finally, the workload and fitness phase will gradually build his bowling workload until he is ready for competitive cricket," the source said, adding that the BCB medical department would not clear him to play until he completed the required bowling workload.
Rana's childhood bowling coach, Alamgir Kabir, is optimistic about the 22-year-old's recovery.
"From what I understand, it will take at least two-three weeks more. Bowling can create strains on the side but I feel he will make a quicker comeback if he does his rehabilitation well," he told The Daily Star.
Meanwhile, BCB remains optimistic about Shoriful Islam’s recovery who began his bowling workload on July 29 after progressing through the same phases. The left-arm pacer is due to undergo a fitness test on August 12 before selectors decide on his availability for the second Test, starting on August 22.
"His [Shoriful] progression is going as well as Litton [Das]. But since he is a pacer, they need to complete a bit more work... But I am hopeful we will get him for the second Test," chief selector Habibul Bashar had said before departing for Australia on Sunday night.
