Bangladesh fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed have left for Australia ahead of the rest of the national squad to consult specialists before the upcoming two-Test series.
Nahid, already ruled out of the series after suffering a Grade 2 side strain during the T20I series in Zimbabwe and flew out Sunday night. However, the main purpose of his trip is to treat a long-standing shinbone issue rather than the side injury. He has been managing shin discomfort for some time and will undergo a specialist assessment in Australia.
Taskin is also travelling early to have his shoulder examined before joining the squad. The senior pacer is expected to lead Bangladesh's bowling attack in Nahid's absence.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said earlier this week that Nahid needs six to eight weeks to recover from his side strain, ruling him out of both Tests.
Bangladesh's series against Australia begins in Darwin on August 13 with the second Test set for August 22 in Mackay.
