Chief selector Habibul Bashar has acknowledged that losing express fast bowler Nahid Rana for Bangladesh's upcoming Test series against Australia is a significant blow but emphasized the team must move forward with its available pace attack.
The 23-year-old pacer was ruled out of the two-match series after suffering a side strain during the second T20I against Zimbabwe. This absence leaves Bangladesh without their fastest bowler for their first Test tour of Australia in 23 years.
Bashar praised Nahid as a rare talent, comparing his exceptional pace to Australia's Mitchell Starc and noted that the global cricket community is eager to watch him bowl. However he urged the team not to dwell on the loss. He drew a parallel to Australia successfully competing without their star bowler, Pat Cummins during a recent Ashes series.
"If your leading fast bowler is unavailable you cannot keep regretting it forever because then you cannot move forward," Bashar said.
Despite the setback Bashar expressed strong confidence in Bangladesh's remaining pace unit. He highlighted the proven abilities of Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud who was instrumental in Bangladesh’s recent Test series victory in Pakistan alongside capable bowlers like Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain.
While admitting the injury heavily impacts the team's dynamics against a well-prepared Australian side, Bashar remains focused on the present challenge.
"I believe the players I have now are the best available and we have to do our best with them," he concluded.
