Bangladesh rising pacer Nahid Rana ready for India Test series

After leaving a mark with his brilliant performance in the historic 2-0 win over Pakistan, Bangladesh's rising star Nahid Rana is ready for the upcoming away Test series against India. The youngster consistently hit the 150-kmph mark and stood out as the star performer, especially in the second innings of the final Test in Rawalpindi as well, where he claimed 4 wickets for 44 as Bangladesh secured a historic series sweep.

Nahid Rana makes headlines with his performance

“Obviously we are well prepared for India series. We have started training. The more we are prepared, the better we will be in execution during the matches,” Rana said in a video shared by Bangladesh Cricket on X. “India are a good team but the team that plays better cricket will win. We will see when we go there.”

The pace bowler, from Chapainawabganj, has emerged as a new sensation in Bangladesh cricket with his great ability to bowl consistently fast over long spells as well. He left everyone surprised by crossing the 150-kmph mark on his Test debut against Sri Lanka in March this year. Then, in Pakistan, he also did well with an immediate impact in the second Test. He also dismissed Shan Masood with his third ball before removing Babar Azam in his next over as well.

“Before leaving, I had said that I wanted to achieve something for my country, and it feels great to have delivered on what was expected of me,” he said.

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Nahid Rana achieved a rare feat

Rana said, “I will strive to give my best. Pace is something you can’t always predict - it depends a lot on rhythm. Sometimes, it just clicks, and suddenly you find yourself hitting those speeds. I never set out to clock 152 kmph or push past that. I just focused on executing the team’s plan. My friends and folks back in the village are really happy of my achievement.”

However, Rana’s journey in cricket started when his brother enrolled him in an academy in 2020. He made his First-Class debut soon after in October 2021 and made headlines by taking 32 wickets in the following season. In the 2022-23 National Cricket League, Rana and Sumon Khan achieved a rare feat, with both claiming over 30 wickets, a feat not seen in over 11 years for fast bowlers in the domestic First-Class tournament as well.

“I don’t want to be like anyone else. I want to create my own identity and be known as Nahid Rana of Bangladesh, I haven’t followed any particular bowler. I’ve watched and learned from everyone - my seniors and those I grew up watching,” he concluded.