Bangladesh’s pace attack has suffered a setback after fast bowler Nahid Rana was ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies with a shoulder injury. The problem has also cast doubt over his availability for Bangladesh’s tour of South Africa next month, where the team are scheduled to play two Tests, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals.

According to a report by cricket website Cricbuzz, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official confirmed Rana’s absence following medical examinations in Australia. The bowler had been experiencing physical discomfort, and initial concerns centred on possible weakness in his back and pelvic region. The BCB sent him overseas for further investigations to establish the precise nature of the problem.

Those examinations revealed a labral tear in his shoulder. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilise the shoulder joint, and an injury to this area can affect movement and the ability to withstand repeated stress. For a fast bowler, whose action places considerable demands on the shoulder, a full recovery is essential before returning to competitive cricket.

The BCB official said Rana had already received an injection in Australia and had begun his rehabilitation programme. He could resume bowling from Friday, 30 October, although that would not automatically mean he was ready to play an international match.

Rana was absent from Bangladesh’s 15-member squad announced for the first Test, scheduled to begin on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. While his participation in the opening match had already been in doubt, the latest assessment means he will miss the entire home series against West Indies.

His prospects for the South Africa tour remain uncertain. Bangladesh are due to begin that assignment on 15 November, but BCB officials are not particularly optimistic about Rana recovering fully before the first Test. His chances of playing in the second match will depend on the progress of his rehabilitation and his physical condition.

If he is unable to return for the second Test, the limited-overs matches in South Africa could provide another opportunity to resume his international career. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is after the two-Test series. Any decision on his involvement, however, will depend on his recovery and readiness to bowl at full intensity.

The latest setback is another blow for the emerging fast bowler, whose progress has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries this year.

Rana suffered a Grade 2 side strain during Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe in July. The injury kept him out of subsequent assignments, including the Australia tour, the Asian Games and the one-off Test against Afghanistan. He had been working towards a return to the national side when further problems emerged during his rehabilitation.

A subsequent gluteal injury forced him to miss a tri-nation series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates. The shoulder problem has now extended his absence, making his return to regular international cricket increasingly difficult to predict.

Rana is regarded as one of Bangladesh’s most promising fast bowlers, with his pace offering an important attacking option. His ability to generate high speeds can trouble opposition batters and provide the team with a different dimension in the bowling attack. Losing him for the West Indies Tests will therefore reduce Bangladesh’s options as they prepare for a demanding international schedule.

The immediate priority will be to ensure that Rana completes his rehabilitation without aggravating the injury. Although a return during the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour remains a possibility, no firm comeback date has been established.

Bangladesh’s two-Test series against West Indies is scheduled to begin on 28 October. The South Africa tour follows from 15 November, featuring matches across all three formats. Whether Rana can take part in any of those fixtures will depend on how quickly he recovers and whether he can regain the fitness required for international competition.